A new poll by the Wildlife Trusts reveals a sharp disconnect: nearly 90% of UK adults have fond memories of outdoor play, yet almost half now spend less than three hours a week in natural settings. One in ten spends less than one hour.
The survey of 2,000 adults found childhood was far different-almost two-thirds said they spent more than half their free time outside.
Experts warn of the health consequences: regular access to green spaces reduces GP visits by 28% and could save the NHS £2 billion a year. The government has pledged that everyone will have a green space within a 15-minute walk, but one in five households lacks such access.
Dom Higgins of the Wildlife Trusts says town parks are vital, but funding for them has dropped sharply as council budgets tighten. The group is urging people to step outside, even just for deep breaths at a local park.
More than three-quarters of children say they want more time in nature, yet two-thirds of parents can only take them once a week or less. Julie Jones-Evans of the Local Government Association notes that parks remain vulnerable. Still, the government plans three new national forests and nine new river walks across England.