These events are enjoyed by thousands of people every year, both tourists and locals. They also have an impact on the park environment and shut down public areas. Local residents and campaigns are increasingly opposed to the use of parks for commercial events. They have launched legal challenges.
These examples make us rethink who parks are and why they exist. These cases also help us understand the larger challenges that public space faces around the world.
What is happening?
City parks have always been used for events – but now they are being used for larger and more commercially-oriented events than ever before.
A recent Heritage Lottery Fund report found that 86% of UK park managers had their budgets reduced since 2010, and a third faced cuts of at least 20%. Many parks must supplement their grant income by revenue generated from commercial activities.
Fenced off. Andrew Smith, Author.
Glen Searle identifies how parks raise money through smaller private events, such as weddings or corporate functions. Now, large event companies are looking for unique venues and new audiences. Urban parks are a popular choice, and they are willing to spend large sums of money to rent them. Formula E , for example, paid Wandsworth Council PS2.85m for Battersea Park in 2015 and 2016. This figure includes compensation due to the cancellation of future editions because of local opposition.
It is obvious that parks are a good place to host commercial events. These events are seen as valuable marketing tools by “entrepeneurial cities” to attract investment and promote their city.
There are also more subtle reasons for holding park events. Park professionals believe that events will help diversify users of parks. Music festivals, sporting events and film screenings are thought to make Victorian parks more relevant for modern life. Officials at the parks also believe that they have the expertise and technology to minimize any negative impacts, such as environmental damage and noise pollution.
Temporary closure of the school
There is growing opposition against privatizing public spaces, as we have seen in San Francisco, where residents forced the authorities to abandon plans to rent park space. Londoners have also begun to fight back against large events that temporarily privatize parks by limiting the time when the public can use them.
Closed for business. Andrew Smith, Author provided
The public is not allowed to enter Battersea Park for the Formula E event. There are also scheduled partial closures on another 15 days as the event is being set up and taken down.
The timing of the events and damage to the turf can cause a disruption to park usage. They tend to occur on weekends during the summer when residents are more likely to use parks.
The hiring of parks by event companies also has a symbolism. It normalizes that public space can “be bought” and be fenced off. The sanctioning of commercial events creates a precedent that could be used in the future to justify permanent installations.
What is the way forward?
It is clear that a different approach is required in light of the controversies and legal challenges surrounding parks being used for large events.
The park managers must work closely with local organizations to determine what events are suitable for parks and which parks are best suited for such events. Clarified guidelines about the amount of space and time that events can occupy will help avoid the legal issues and bitter conflicts in London during this summer.
A better enforcement of laws would also help maintain balance between the public and private use of parks. Even among park officials and event managers, my research indicates that these regulations are not well known.
Another way to avoid conflicts is by providing more generous funding to parks. In a period of austerity, this may seem like an idealistic idea. The general public loves parks. They improve the urban environment and the wellbeing of citizens. Local authorities wouldn’t be forced to use parks for commercial events if their value were fully recognised and they received proper funding.