The total area of domestic gardens in the UK has been estimated to exceed 4,000 square kilometers – far larger than the Yorkshire Dales National Park (and indeed any UK National Park). There is no accurate estimate currently available of the area of gardens within the Park itself but, together with amenity greenspace (e.g. village greens and allotments), school grounds, road verges, etc., the amount of land must be significant within our settlements that could make an important contribution to improving ecological networks throughout the Dales provided it is managed in ways that are sympathetic to wildlife.
The Authority maintains part of the grounds at its offices in Grassington as a wildlife garden.