Millennium Greens are areas of green space for the benefit of local communities. 245 were created in cities, towns and villages across England to celebrate the turn of the Millennium. Their creation was funded in part by the National Lottery via the Countryside Agency. Each one is different, as local people have had an input into the design of their green. The project to create 250 Millennium Greens across the turn of the Millennium (2001) was started in 1996 and ended when the last Green was handed over to its own, local charitable trust in perpetuity. Each trust now fundraises for and runs its own green, within the bounds of its trust deed, for the benefit of its local community. Aims The aims of Millennium Greens, as stated in their trust deeds, are as follows: Make a substantial contribution to the life of the whole community. Be able to be enjoyed by people of all ages and physical abilities. Be open and evident to visitors to the Locality as well as inhabitants. Be an attractive place for people to take air and exercise, meet others and pursue leisure activities and pastimes consistent with the shared enjoyment of the whole of the land. Include an area suitable for community events and celebrations. Include significant "natural" areas, where people can enjoy Nature and wildlife at first hand. Make a positive contribution to the local environment and respect the established character of the area. Remain safely and conveniently accessible from Inhabitants' homes. History The project took its inspiration from the Pocket Park project, started in 1984, which had successfully started the idea of communities being directly involved in the creation and maintenance of new parks. The Millennium Greens scheme was one of many UK projects funded by the Millennium Commission using National Lottery money. It was intended to form part of the permanent legacy of the celebrations of the Turn of the Millennium. Design of the Greens The general blueprint for the design and creation of Millennium Greens specified both green, natural areas and an area suitable for public events. In addition the Trust Deeds all specified that no buildings were to be built on the land and not more than 10% of the land should be made/left as hard areas- paving and car parks etc. Another requirement of the original sponsors was that they would not provide formal sporting grounds and play