An annual campaign to highlight the importance of urban green space and parks was launched this weekend.

The international World Parks Day, on 20 September, was aimed at encouraging people to enjoy the outdoors and appreciate the importance of green space in their lives. The campaign called for local and national organisations to share stories of events in their parks that day. Participants have been documenting their goings-on through YouTube videos, photos and written reports

The campaign is developed by International Urban Parks and Green Space Alliance (IUPGSA) to promote its global Parks for Life movement, which is intended to improve green space management and to communicate the importance of parks in creating livable communities. IUPGSA consists of GreenSpace in the UK, the City Parks Alliance (USA) and the Parks Forum (Australia & New Zealand.

The next meeting to be held by Parks for Life on 24 September in the Hilton Pittsburgh, US. Those that cannot attend can join the meeting by using Skype conference calling.