Tidy mown lawns or ‘messy’ wild spaces? Study shows what people really want from their local parks

• A new study has found people widely support less mowing in public parks
• But they’re also more likely to be in favour of these ‘wild spaces’ if they’re pleasant to look at
• The lead researcher says a few simple changes could help councils get more public support on their side

Cutting back on mowing can save councils money and help boost biodiversity.

While this generally sounds like a win-win, when it comes to public parks local authorities can face fierce resistance from residents who’d prefer to keep the grass trimmed and tidy.

But a new study published on Tuesday (November 11) suggests that public perception might be more nuanced than previously thought. Researchers from Durham University and the Durham County Council polled more than 900 people recently, to discover how they felt about how local parks and other public spaces were managed.

It suggested that people were open to wilder, uncut lawns – albeit with a few caveats. Here’s what the research found, and what it could mean for our parks and green spaces:

Wild but ‘pretty’

Most of the people surveyed for the study actually wanted less mowing, as well as more wild spaces, the research team found, hinting at widespread support for more natural management of local green areas.

Almost everyone who took part said that they cared deeply about the environment. Not only that, but they were worried about the ecological impacts of frequent mowing. According to conservation charity Plantlife, cutting back on mowing allows a more diverse range of wildflower species to flourish, providing a rich food source for pollinators and other wildlife.

But when researchers analysed what actually predicted support for greener policies around mowing, environmental concern was not the key factor. Instead, people’s preferences were shaped by whether they thought wilder areas looked neat and pleasant, the team said.

Participants who viewed unmown or rewilded areas as beautiful were far more likely to support them, while those who saw them as untidy were more opposed. Essentially, this meant that the public’s support for wilder, less frequently-mown green spaces was driven more by how attractive they looked than by their benefits.

What could it mean for how we manage our parks?

The study’s lead author, Durham University’s Jack Hughes, said that it was great to find that people may be open to the idea of less mowing. It was also “understandable that people want that change to make where they live prettier,” he added.

“But it also goes to show that it is important to collect evidence to see what is actually influencing opinions, rather than assuming it is as simple as just sticking up a sign that says wilder spaces are better for nature,” he continued.

The research challenged the long-held assumption that promoting the ecological benefits was enough to win over the public. It could also help explain why some rewilding or biodiversity projects have faced criticism, the research team said, despite their environmental merits.

According to the study, making wild spaces look intentional and appealing – rather than overgrown or abandoned – could help boost public support. This could mean incorporating mown edges, planting colourful wildflowers, adding trees or art features, or communicating how the changes enhance local beauty as well as wildlife.

Durham County Council, which co-designed the survey and helped recruit participants, says that it already plans to use the findings to help it plan how to manage its open spaces. Mr Hughes added: “Hopefully policy makers and land managers across the nation see what we've found and start thinking about beauty as a key part of rewilding messaging and strategy.”

Interested in what you can do in your own garden to give biodiversity a boost? Here are some of the top trees to plant in your garden to help birds and other wildlife.