One of the more surprising aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the increased attention that has been given to the role of parks and greenspaces. Too often their value – be that for our health and wellbeing, for the environment, or for our community and social connections – remains invisible. Yet this surge in attention is much welcomed and could prove significant for their future sustainability and success.

This collection draws on our work as part of the Rethinking Parks programme. It presents seven different visions to shape the future of parks and greenspaces and features essays, provocations and fiction. Whilst not exhaustive in the possibilities they explore, they encourage all of us to boldly imagination the role that these spaces can play in our communities.