Paul Rabbitts

Paul Rabbitts (People’s Parks)

A Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and of the Royal Historical Society, Paul Rabbitts BA (Hons), MLA, MPMA, FRHistS, FRSA qualified with a degree in Geography at Sheffield City Polytechnic, then a Masters in Landscape Architecture at Edinburgh University, before working for 2 years in a small landscape architectural practice on the island of Jersey. He then took up a post at Carlisle City Council for 8 years working in Parks and Countryside where his obsession with parks began, and was responsible in 1996 for one of the first HLF Lottery funded park restorations.
A return to the North-East saw him take over a Landscape and Countryside Development team at Middlesbrough Council, managing a vast range of projects including the £4.4 million HLF funded restoration of Albert Park. After eight years at Middlesbrough he moved into private practice with Halcrow Group Ltd, a global environmental and engineering consultancy as their “parks” expert. Projects included the Stage 1 HLF application for the restoration of Wilton Lodge Park in Hawick.
He became Head of Parks, Heritage and Culture with Watford Borough Council and oversaw the HLF funded £7.2 million award winning restoration of Cassiobury Park. In January 2022, after 11 years at Watford he took the opportunity of the challenging role of Head of Parks and Open Spaces at Southend-on-Sea City Council.
He has published over 32 books for a number of publishers including the definitive biography on architect Decimus Burton, several books on the Royal Parks of London and the iconic Victorian and Edwardian bandstand. He is a regular speaker and lecturer, a Trustee and Director of the Gardens Trust and founding member and chair of the Parks Management Association. He is also a Director of Parks for People CIC, a community interest company which focuses on promoting the value of public parks.
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