The Parks and Countryside Management Service is part of Sandwells Cultural Services and provides the strategic management and development of Sandwells Urban Parks, Countryside Parks and Community Greenspaces that come within the land portfolio of Cultural Services.

With a large land management portfolio, the unit strives to deliver a high standard of Service in line with the mission statement:-

To continually work to improve Services and Facilities that will contribute to a thriving, sustainable, optimistic Borough, aspiring to serve the Community with high standards of service'

The Service works within the Council's corporate Priorities but particularly seeks to support specific areas that impact upon Sandwell's local communities:

• A Clean, Tidy and Safe Borough
• Transforming the Physical Environment
• Things for young people to do
• Supporting Local Communities

As a major land management section, the unit provides the management of the Borough's 1,483 acres of Parks and Green Spaces including allotments, outdoor sports facilities and play area provision. To assist in delivery of the Service, the Unit also provides both the Urban and Countryside Ranger Services and undertakes all associated technical and horticultural support appropriate to our sites. The gounds maintenance within parks is undertaken by the Councils Groundcare Services within Highway and Environment Services through a green budget.

We provide the maintenance and management of a number of important conservation areas within Sandwell Valley and local nature reserves.

There are a number of policy documents that provide the strategic framework for service delivery and investment.

• View key Strategies and Policies

In 2006 a comprehensive Green Space Audit was completed through a partnership arrangement with the Councils Planning and Development Service. A comprehensive green space strategy has been comissioned and will be published in November 2008 using the audit as the basis for that strategy. A Playing Pitch Strategy was commissioned in 2006 and published in 2007 

Included within our service is the delivery of major public events such as the annual Sandwell Show, The Historic Vehicle Show, Civic Bonfire and Fireworks Display and St Georges Day. Details of these events and more may be obtained from the Diary of Events. We are also able to offer advice and guidance to anyone wishing to organise a major event within Sandwell. An Events Strategy was produced in 2003.

Many of our Parks are available for hire, either for fetes or community events, whilst a number provide outdoor sports facilities such as Bowling Greens, Cricket facilities and Football pitches. If you wish to enquire about the availability of our facilities please use the contact details below.

• Outdoor Park sports facilities (Club bowls, Cricket and Football.Phone 0121 569 8226)

• Taking Up An Allotment
  Phone 0121 569 3438

• Request an application to hold an event in our parks.
  Phone 0121 569 8226.

Other Useful Contact Numbers

• Countryside Park Management 0121 553 0220
• Urban Parks Management 0121 569 3871
• Urban Rangers Service 0121 552 4214
• Countryside Rangers 0121 553 0220
• Groundcare Services (Grounds Maintenance) 0121 569 6625
• Greenspace Development 0121 569 3874
• Parks and Countryside Management Fax Number 0121 569 4704