Hertfordshire Parks to Become More Inclusive Through Groundbreaking Partnership

A major new partnership between ParksHerts, Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership (HSP) and Access & Inclusion UK (AIUK) is set to transform accessibility and inclusion across parks and open spaces throughout Hertfordshire.

Launched as part of No Limits 2026: Hertfordshire's Year of Disability Sport and Physical Activity, the initiative will provide parks teams with the tools, training and expert support needed to create more welcoming environments for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.

Backed by a £10,000 investment from HSP and ParksHerts, the programme recognises a simple but important reality: while parks and green spaces play a vital role in supporting physical activity, wellbeing and social connection, they are not equally accessible to everyone.

A Strong Case for Change

Research highlights the scale of the opportunity in Hertfordshire:

• 172,675 thousand residents (14.4%) classified themselves as disabled.
• RNIB estimates that 38,900 people live with sight loss in 2022 and this is expected to rise to 45,800 by 2032.
• 1 in 6 people are deaf/ hard of hearing (194,422) which is expected to rise to 1 in 4 (272,191) by 2030.
• There are an estimated 20,000 people in Hertfordshire living with Dementia.
• At mid 2024, an estimated 216,310 individuals in Hertfordshire were 65+. This equates to 17.5% of the population and is projected to grow to 21.7% by 2047.

Yet access to outdoor spaces remains a significant challenge. Only 44% of disabled people say outdoor spaces are easy to access, compared with 78% of non-disabled people, while around 32% of disabled people report difficulties accessing parks, countryside or woodland.

Improving accessibility is not only a social imperative, it also represents a significant economic opportunity. Disabled people and their families contribute an estimated £446 billion in spending power.

Building More Inclusive Parks Across Hertfordshire

The programme will adopt a "pan-disability" approach, considering the needs of visitors, volunteers and staff who may be disabled, neurodivergent, living with dementia, older, or visiting with young families.

Over the coming months, the partnership will deliver:

• Development of bespoke accessibility audit templates designed specifically for parks and open spaces.
• Accessibility audits of selected parks across Hertfordshire.
• Accessibility Champion training for parks teams.
• Ongoing expert support to help parks undertake their own accessibility reviews and improvements.

The audits will examine the entire visitor journey, including websites, arrival and parking, signage, pathways, play areas, visitor facilities, cafés and toilets. They will identify both existing good practice and practical recommendations ranging from low-cost "quick wins" to longer-term improvements.

Examples of potential enhancements include providing clearer accessibility information online, improving seating, ensuring paths remain obstacle-free, introducing accessible QR technology, reviewing signage visibility and developing sensory resources to support a wider range of visitors.

Creating a Lasting Legacy

The programme builds on successful accessibility work already undertaken at sites such as Rickmansworth Aquadrome, where Access & Inclusion UK supported a major accessibility review to help inform future improvements.

Access & Inclusion UK brings extensive national expertise to the partnership, having delivered accessibility projects for organisations including Visit England, the National Trust, Forestry England, The Royal Parks and numerous local authorities and outdoor destinations across the UK.

By combining expert auditing, practical guidance, staff development and long-term support, the initiative aims to create a lasting legacy that extends well beyond No Limits 2026.

A Vision for Everyone

At its heart, the partnership is about ensuring that Hertfordshire's parks and open spaces are places where everyone feels welcome, valued and able to participate.

As the programme begins, ParksHerts, HSP and Access & Inclusion UK are sending a clear message: accessibility is not about perfection overnight. It is about making meaningful progress, removing barriers and ensuring that the benefits of Hertfordshire's outstanding parks and green spaces can be enjoyed by all.

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Adrian Ledbury, Deputy Director, Herts Sport & Physical Activity Partnership (HSP)

Physical activity should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability or circumstances. Parks and open spaces are some of the most important places where people can be active, connect with nature and improve their wellbeing. Through this partnership, we are investing in practical action that will help remove barriers, build local expertise and create more opportunities for disabled people and other underrepresented groups to enjoy Hertfordshire's fantastic green spaces. As part of No Limits 2026, we want this programme to leave a lasting legacy. By supporting parks teams with the tools, training and confidence to improve accessibility, we can create more inclusive environments that benefit residents and visitors for years to come.

Dave Renouf, Chair, ParksHerts

ParksHerts was created to help more people discover and enjoy the wealth of parks and open spaces across Hertfordshire. This partnership represents an important next step in ensuring that those spaces are genuinely welcoming and accessible to everyone. Working collaboratively across the county allows us to share learning, identify good practice and deliver improvements at scale. By bringing together local authorities, HSP and Access & Inclusion UK, we are creating a strong foundation for a more inclusive future for Hertfordshire's parks.

Jane Cooper, Founder and CEO, Access & Inclusion UK / Cabinet Office appointed Disability and Access Ambassador for UK Tourism

Accessibility is not about creating special experiences for a few people; it's about creating better experiences for everyone. Small changes can often make a significant difference to how confidently and independently people are able to access and enjoy a park. We are delighted to be working with ParksHerts and HSP on this innovative programme. By combining accessibility audits, practical guidance, training and ongoing support, we can help parks teams identify both quick wins and longer-term opportunities, ensuring that more people can benefit from Hertfordshire's outstanding outdoor spaces. The most inclusive places are those that recognise and value the diversity of their visitors. This programme will help parks across Hertfordshire take meaningful steps towards achieving that goal. Progress matters more than perfection. Every barrier removed, every pathway improved and every piece of information made more accessible helps open the door to someone who may previously have felt excluded. The real ambition behind this partnership is to make everybody welcome.