COVID-19:
COVID-19: Using Parks Responsibly
Now more than ever parks are providing an invaluable source for improving people's health and wellbeing, and we are doing all we can to ensure that parks remain open throughout these challenging times and that they are being used responsibly.
On 11 May the Government updated its guidance around coronavirus (external link). We want to keep you informed of actions we are taking in the parks to encourage and reinforce the government messaging around social distancing.
How you can help:
- Remain at least two metres away from others while in the park
- Keep your dog on a lead at all times, otherwise you could face a fine of up to £100
- All playgrounds, outdoor gyms and sport courts remain closed
- If you see any large gatherings in parks, report this to the Police on 101
While in the park
While using the parks, you must follow social distancing guidelines including remaining at least two meters away from others at all times. Please respect others whilst using the parks.
Dog control
All dogs must be on a lead at all times. This is to ensure it doesn't run off and you have to retrieve it meaning you come within 2 metres of another person.
This decision has been made by working with our legal and enforcement colleagues to look at what legislation we have to support us in encouraging / compelling people to put their dogs on a lead during the coronavirus period.
The current Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) for Dog Control state that officers can require an owner to put their dog on a leash if it is reasonably necessary, in order to prevent the dog from causing a nuisance or disturbance.
Given the need for social distancing, the view has been taken that a roaming dog could cause both a nuisance and a disturbance to others in that its owner could be forced to get closer than two meters away from someone in order to restrain their dog. It is therefore reasonably necessary for officers to enforce a requirement that all dogs are to be kept on a leash.
Playgrounds, outdoor gyms and council managed sports courts
All playgrounds, outdoor gyms and council managed sports courts will remain closed for the foreseeable future, until we can ensure users health and safety. Please respect these closures until they can be re-opened, only when it is safe to do so
Gatherings
We are in close contact throughout this period with our enforcement colleagues and the police. Where we know gatherings are taking place, against government guidelines, we will feed this information through to them, and decide what appropriate action is to be taken. If you know of any places within parks where regular gatherings are continuing to take place, please report this directly to the Police on 101 so they can take appropriate action, based on the intelligence they receive.
Please continue to stay home as much as possible. Together we will work to ensure everyone's safety, and save lives.
