The key aims of the Forum are:

• Sharing experience and promoting best practice
• Providing an informal network for "parks" professionals within the region.
• Influencing national policy
• Raising the profile of parks management and development at both regional and national levels.

Previous meetings have covered a wide range of topics includingGreen Flag, Fields in Trust, Eco-towns, Section 106 / Community Infrastructure Levy to name but a few. Both members and guest speakers make presentations at meetings. The Forum also responds on behalf of its members to government consultations such as those about; the Urban Green Spaces Taskforce Interim report; the HSE’s Tree maintenance survey; the Audit Commission’s Local Performance Indicators; and other emerging poicy issues.

The Forum meets bi-monthly at venues around the region and in addition holds one-day seminars every 2 years. The Forum has a good reputation within the region and the profession and meetings and seminars are well attended.

The Forum welcomes members who are involved with landscape design, parks maintenance, countryside services or parks development. Whilst the majority of members are from local authorities, there are a growing number from private and commercial organisations and the voluntary sector.