Few studies have considered greenspace governance provision from a local government perspective. This paper applies previously overlooked insights from urban planning and social research, investigate the key question: ‘how do governance factors influence the provision of greenspace in cities?’. It examines governance tools, organisational leadership and culture, and political leadership. Findings reveal the tensions between a need for certainty and a desire for flexibility, highlighting inconsistencies between planning theory and practice. Better understanding the interplay of these enablers and constraints can inform policy-making to ensure that rapidly growing cities can respond to their residents’ needs using available resources.