The Big Lottery Fund and Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) are to work in partnership for the first time to pour an additional £90m into UK parks over a three-year period, it was announced on 17 January.

The Parks for People scheme is designed to encourage local people to get involved with and benefit from their parks and the Big Lottery Fund’s £90m boost is in addition to an expected £70m which will be invested by the HLF during the nest three years.

The programme will include creating training opportunities for staff and volunteers to learn how to look after their parks as well as conserving and improving the heritage value of parks and providing new community facilities.

Grants will be made in two rounds of funding each year and will range from £250,000 to £5m. The first deadline for applications is 31 March 2006.

Culture secretary Tessa Jowell welcomed the partnership. “This is a great example of how the lottery organisations can work together by combining their expertise and resources,” she said.

“This new scheme will encourage people to take a fresh look at theit local park and put it firmly back at the centre of their community life.” Details: www.hlf.org.uk