Parks Service Publishes First Visitor Statistics

The Parks Service of the Velocity Interoperability Network today published its first statistical release. The release covers the transition period from 10 August to 5 September 2026, during which the parks and reserves, their staff and their records were transferred to the Service, and records the position at establishment on 6 September 2026.

During the transition period 486,350 visits were recorded across the twelve sites, of which 149,600 were to Central Exchange Gardens and 101,200 to Southbank Riverside Park. Visits rose by eleven per cent between the first and second halves of the period as automatic counters were installed at the remaining car parks and entrances. In the same period 64 permit applications were received and 58 granted, 186 volunteers were registered and 2,340 volunteer hours were recorded.

At establishment the Service has 27 rangers on duty in three area teams, 810 car parking spaces and 99.5 kilometres of waymarked routes across its sites. The Service will publish statistics quarterly. The next release, covering the quarter ending 30 September 2026, will be published in October. The full release, including visits by site and permits by type, is set out on the Statistics page of this site.