Public values coast and lakes as much as leisure centres and courts – and wants support to match

30th Nov 2015 Industry

Last week in the Comprehensive Spending Review, Government committed to protecting over £350 million funding for public forests, National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty over the Spending Review period. This is good news but overall measures set out another round of cuts that will impact on access to, and the delivery of, outdoor recreation.

Yet poll findings released today reveal that almost 90% of people value outdoor spaces like the coast, lakes and waterways as much as they value leisure centres, pitches and courts for sport. The poll also found that 8 in 10 people believe that ministers should support outdoor recreation in the same way as it supports sport.

The poll has been run to inform a report commissioned by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) on what could be in a national outdoor recreation strategy for England. The report, also published today, calls for the creation of a named Minister for the Outdoors, as well as for outdoor recreation to form a central plank of the Government’s upcoming new sport strategy.

Written by umbrella bodies the Sport and Recreation Alliance and the Outdoor Industries Association (OIA), the publication is the outcome of a wide-ranging consultation with the sector which included surveys, focus groups and a comprehensive review of existing evidence.

Investment in outdoor recreation is also supported by the poll which found that:

• 80% agree that Government should recognise and support outdoor recreation the same way it supports sport
• 89% value outdoor spaces for sport and recreation as much as they value leisure centres, pitches and courts for sport
• 58% would do more outdoor recreation if there were better transport links to places where they could be active
• 83% agree that schools should give every child the chance to take part in outdoor recreation such as sailing, climbing and orienteering

Emma Boggis, Chief Executive Sport and Recreation Alliance said: ‘Evidence shows that outdoor recreation can benefit the economy and individuals’ health and wellbeing. We know that DCMS will consider this report as it develops the new sport strategy. The recommendations set a framework for outdoor recreation and we know the sector is willing and able to work with Government on delivering change within this’.

Andrew Denton, CEO OIA said: ‘Our research with Sport England found that 18.2 million people want to re-engage and participate in the outdoors in the next 12 months. The new sport strategy provides an opportunity for Government to help realise the potential of outdoor recreation’.

The report is part of a package of documents submitted to DCMS which can be found here.