Working for The Royal Parks

Our Purpose & Objectives

"To manage the Royal Parks effectively and efficiently; balancing the responsibility to conserve and enhance these unique environments with creative policies to encourage access and to increase opportunities for enjoyment, education, entertainment and healthy recreation."

Our Corporate Objectives

To protect and enhance our “world class” natural park environment for the enjoyment of families, children and visitors

To understand and respond to the needs of our audiences, reflecting diversity of needs and use; enriching lives and enhancing access to culture and sport

To work with other organisations and volunteers to deliver clear education, health, sport and participation offers

To conserve and enhance the historic built environment of the Royal Parks

To deliver greater value for money for the taxpayer through increased income generation and reduced dependency on vote funding

To demonstrate organisational excellence

Ministerial Relationship

The Royal Parks is an Executive Agency of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The Parks are owned by the Monarch in right of the Crown. The Secretary of State has overall responsibility for the management of the parks. The Chief Executive of the Agency (Mark Camley) is responsible for operational decisions.

Structure

The Royal Parks currently employs approximately 100 staff, approximately half in HQ and the rest in the individual parks. Our headquarters is in the Old Police House, Hyde Park. There is a park office and police station in each park.

Much of the work carried out within the Royal Parks such as grounds, works and tree maintenance is contracted out. Many of the services provided for the public in the Parks - catering, boating, deck chairs and some sports (golf, tennis, bowling, swimming in the Serpentine) - are carried out by licence concessionaires.

Responsibility for policing the parks rests with the Metropolitan Police Service.