Data creation

Geometry

• Greenspace Sites – These polygons are identified using topographic and textual information contained within Ordnance Survey large-scale databases. Identified Greenspace Sites are then generated using the visible physical boundaries surrounding individual sites, for example, where a fence or wall clearly surrounds a park.

• Access Points – Most Greenspace Sites include Access Points, but a limited number do not. Certain situations make it impossible to capture access into a site:

  • In open areas, such as a play area in a park, there is often no physical boundary limiting access to specific places, and we therefore do not capture a specific Access Point.

  • It may not be possible to identify an Access Point due to the limits of data capture, such as an entrance obscured by trees.

Where this is the case, if we are informed about and can verify additional Access Points, we endeavour to include them.

It is also possible for Access Points to occur within larger polygons where they indicate access to a nested polygon within.

Inclusion of an Access Point in this product does not guarantee public access, and users need to be aware of this when using Access Point data.

Attribution

In the extraction and creation of the OS Open Greenspace features, attribution is generated from the detailed source data and existing site data.

Data completeness

Ordnance Survey is committed to maintaining its products to the highest levels of accuracy and currency. The initial capture of data for OS Open Greenspace is completed using our existing topographic databases and aerial imagery. As such, the quality of the data is constrained to what can be achieved with this approach. For example, where access into a site is obscured (for example, it is situated under dense tree canopy) it will not be captured. In addition, the use of our existing databases to identify the location of sites of interest means that we cannot guarantee that all relevant sites will be included in the data. However, where we are informed and can verify that a feature is missing or inaccurately depicted in the dataset, we will make the necessary amendments to the dataset within 12 months of such verification.

We have processes in place to allow expert users to feed back on the product and allow us to act on potential omissions and improvements to content, subject to accuracy checks. Over time, it is anticipated that this community will assist us in further improving the content in the two OS Greenspace products.

Selection of Greenspace Sites

The Greenspace Sites included in this product are the sites that the public can use for recreational activities and outside leisure. Activities include but are not limited to sports, walking, exercise, commuting, and exploration.

Inclusion of a Greenspace Site in this product does not guarantee public access to it, and users should be aware of this when using the data. Sites may have restricted opening times or charges which OS is unable to publish information about. Some sites may charge for use of the facility, area, or parking.

Some criteria have been applied in the creation of this product to ensure that the most appropriate sites are included. Sites are only included where a definable boundary for an individual site can be depicted and where the entirety of the defined site is a greenspace. Large rural areas such as National Parks do not fall within this definition.