Our history
Since 1925, we’ve worked to ensure the survival of precious parks and green spaces by securing legal protections, supporting landowners, and lobbying policymakers for change.
Foundation and Royal Patronage
We were founded by HRH The Duke of York, later HM King George VI, in 1925 as the National Playing Fields Association and are proud of our long heritage protecting parks and green spaces. In 1932 our first Patron, HM King George V granted our Royal Charter. Today, we are fortunate to have the active support of our Patron HRH The Prince of Wales, succeeding Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth II who was Patron for an incredible 70 years. Between 2013 and 2024, HRH The Prince of Wales was President of Fields in Trust, taking on the role when HRH The Duke of Edinburgh retired after 64 years. We are extremely grateful to the Royal Family for their long-standing support.
HRH The Duke of Edinburgh KG KT
During his long and committed service, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh was involved in every aspect of the organisation. As well as regularly working in the office, he attended opening ceremonies of protected parks and playing fields, played in many fundraising cricket matches, and hosted charity galas. We are enormously indebted to The Duke for his support and were deeply saddened by his passing aged 99 in April 2021.
Our History
Discover more about our decades of history in this interactive archive which charts the story of our founding, to the world’s first charity single by Frank Sinatra, plus much more.
1925 - 1937
HRH The Duke of York (later HM King George VI) served as our first President from our founding in 1925 and set a precedent of hands-on involvement in the activities of the charity.
1938 - 1946
After His Royal Highness ascended to the Throne in 1937 both Edward Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby and...
1947 - 1948
...Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma undertook spells in the role before handing over to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh in 1948.
1948 - 2012
The Duke was an extremely committed President and served 64 years before retiring in 2013.
2013 - 2024
In 2013, HRH The Prince of Wales took over the role of President from his grandfather HRH The Duke of Edinburgh until becoming Patron in 2024, succeeding Her Majesty the late Queen Elizabeth II who was Patron for an incredible 70 years.
The Prince of Wales shares our commitment to creating a better future for parks and green spaces to help people and nature thrive. He was the Patron of our Diamond Jubilee Appeal leading the efforts to secure a legacy of over 1200 protected spaces as a tribute to HM The Queen.