Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will make an assessment of the level of (a) use and (b) value for money of park exercise equipment.

The management of parks and any exercise equipment within those spaces is the responsibility of each local authority. The Government does not hold data on the use or value for money of park exercise equipment.

The Parks Action Group, which was created following the Select Committee response to the Inquiry on the future of public parks, is reviewing a range of issues relating to parks and green spaces in England, including developing priority work streams on usage and value of parks. The Group has committed to review the need for structured physical facilities within parks and will report back to Parliament in the Autumn.

Many local authorities already work very closely on health and wellbeing issues and are keen to develop opportunities for play. Best practice models are shared in the Local Government Association, which is a member of the Parks Action Group and will be a pivotal partner in sharing the learning and best practice from the Group with local authorities.