Draconian Parish Council closed our village park
Discussion
Hi all, would welcome your open opinion. We have a young family, 1year old and 3yr old and with the recent closure of the children’s equipped play park which we fully understand the reasons for it needing to close to protect the spread of the virus.
I am having an dispute with our Parish Council who decided in its infinite wisdom to also close our small village’s expansive park which is essentially a large grassed open space. This park / field has been a life saver for family exercising and we see it as absolutely essential since it provides a safe place to exercise the kids to fly a kite, push the buggy etc.. we have always adhered with the social distancing guidance and have always sought to do the right thing. We have limited safe alternative options to exercise the kids in the village our roads are typically narrow with fast passing traffic and it is a struggle and worry to use a double buggy on the road which underlines the great amenity and source of well being the Park has been provided upto now.
The Government’s latest COVID 19 advice states non essential community spaces should close but most councils near us are keeping parks open for exercise but ask that users maintain the 2meter clear guidance. Am I being unreasonable in expecting our Village Parish council to not restrict public access to the village park given Taunton, North Somerset and Devon are all stating parks should be open to support the need to provide essential exercise? There seems to be inconsistencies in the way Government guidance is being applied I have written to the MP Chris Loder to help but would welcome your thoughts as we are desperate to help balance the needs of the children to run off their energy before it takes its toll.
I am having an dispute with our Parish Council who decided in its infinite wisdom to also close our small village’s expansive park which is essentially a large grassed open space. This park / field has been a life saver for family exercising and we see it as absolutely essential since it provides a safe place to exercise the kids to fly a kite, push the buggy etc.. we have always adhered with the social distancing guidance and have always sought to do the right thing. We have limited safe alternative options to exercise the kids in the village our roads are typically narrow with fast passing traffic and it is a struggle and worry to use a double buggy on the road which underlines the great amenity and source of well being the Park has been provided upto now.
The Government’s latest COVID 19 advice states non essential community spaces should close but most councils near us are keeping parks open for exercise but ask that users maintain the 2meter clear guidance. Am I being unreasonable in expecting our Village Parish council to not restrict public access to the village park given Taunton, North Somerset and Devon are all stating parks should be open to support the need to provide essential exercise? There seems to be inconsistencies in the way Government guidance is being applied I have written to the MP Chris Loder to help but would welcome your thoughts as we are desperate to help balance the needs of the children to run off their energy before it takes its toll.
Good luck to you. I hope they reopen. My local
London parks have closed despite government advice. In my experience councils do whatever they like and don’t care a toss for the locals’ well-being, and there isn’t much you can do to change that.
Personally if the gates aren’t high or even if you can get around them I would just do that. Not as though you’ll be arrested.
London parks have closed despite government advice. In my experience councils do whatever they like and don’t care a toss for the locals’ well-being, and there isn’t much you can do to change that.
Personally if the gates aren’t high or even if you can get around them I would just do that. Not as though you’ll be arrested.
I don’t think you’re being unreasonable at all, far from it.
I can’t offer any advice but I would say I absolutely support you and I hope you get the park reopened as we do need these open spaces to exercise and maintain distance.
I live in a London suburb and I had been driving to quieter locations to exercise. It has been shown today through police enforcement however that driving to a location for exercise won’t be tolerated.
Let’s hope that in the end sense trumps the knee-jerking that so many have been forced into.
I can’t offer any advice but I would say I absolutely support you and I hope you get the park reopened as we do need these open spaces to exercise and maintain distance.
I live in a London suburb and I had been driving to quieter locations to exercise. It has been shown today through police enforcement however that driving to a location for exercise won’t be tolerated.
Let’s hope that in the end sense trumps the knee-jerking that so many have been forced into.
Trying to not be "that" guy....
Didnt Boris say "Stay at home........1 form of excercise etc"
Sharing the park with other, regardless of the distance doesnt seem right to me.
My understanding of this mess - the more we all keep apart, the better for everyone.........
Seriously post and not trolling.
Didnt Boris say "Stay at home........1 form of excercise etc"
Sharing the park with other, regardless of the distance doesnt seem right to me.
My understanding of this mess - the more we all keep apart, the better for everyone.........
Seriously post and not trolling.
Thanks for your contributions all, the maiden newton parish council have lost all practical common sense a few of the locals are very annoyed about it. In a few weeks i bet it will kick off big style, if people keep their distance etc and use the park sensibly where is the problem??
Really disappointed with them trying to work from home with two energy filled youngsters is full on we need the park!!
Really disappointed with them trying to work from home with two energy filled youngsters is full on we need the park!!
Edited by fishman on Thursday 26th March 22:48
markyb_lcy said:
I don’t think you’re being unreasonable at all, far from it.
I can’t offer any advice but I would say I absolutely support you and I hope you get the park reopened as we do need these open spaces to exercise and maintain distance.
I live in a London suburb and I had been driving to quieter locations to exercise. It has been shown today through police enforcement however that driving to a location for exercise won’t be tolerated.
Let’s hope that in the end sense trumps the knee-jerking that so many have been forced into.
Thanks Mark totally with you seems very knee jerk reactive thinking from the Parish council sadly its not a huge surprise. They tried to shut the allotments at the same time but had to retract as Gove subsequently clarified exercise on the allotment was actually ok and permitted.I can’t offer any advice but I would say I absolutely support you and I hope you get the park reopened as we do need these open spaces to exercise and maintain distance.
I live in a London suburb and I had been driving to quieter locations to exercise. It has been shown today through police enforcement however that driving to a location for exercise won’t be tolerated.
Let’s hope that in the end sense trumps the knee-jerking that so many have been forced into.
I would argue you have a greater chance of catching the virus on the allotments with sharing of gardening tools and chatting etc than you would on a massive field where each-other is minding their own business,
Turn7 said:
Do you have a decent size garden ?
Not sure I would want to risk outside contact with my kids right now - but then I dont have any, so cant compare I guess.
Went into Tesco for the first time since last week, and felt acutely uncomfortable being anywhere near another human........
It’s not big enough, I know what you mean..... I’m not especially keen on going out at the moment but the change of environment to the house does wonders for us all and is essential. Not sure I would want to risk outside contact with my kids right now - but then I dont have any, so cant compare I guess.
Went into Tesco for the first time since last week, and felt acutely uncomfortable being anywhere near another human........
On London news tonight... Victoria park was closed apparently because a minority of people were not following the guidance. Lots of upset people who were keeping distance are on the news now saying, quite rightly that they’ll now be forced into sharing smaller spaces with others therefore making the social distancing harder.
Add to that an apparent ban on driving to locations to adhere to social distancing, and suddenly it looks to me like some city or town areas could easily become CV ghettos.
Add to that an apparent ban on driving to locations to adhere to social distancing, and suddenly it looks to me like some city or town areas could easily become CV ghettos.
Turn7 said:
Trying to not be "that" guy....
Didnt Boris say "Stay at home........1 form of excercise etc"
Sharing the park with other, regardless of the distance doesnt seem right to me.
My understanding of this mess - the more we all keep apart, the better for everyone.........
Seriously post and not trolling.
Nope fair point but stuck inside for weeks on end with two screaming youngsters ain’t going to work either... there needs to be a reasonable middle ground we as a small family have always strictly adhered with the social distancing requirements something has to change or we are going to both end up in funny farm with those power crazy Parish councillors 🤣Didnt Boris say "Stay at home........1 form of excercise etc"
Sharing the park with other, regardless of the distance doesnt seem right to me.
My understanding of this mess - the more we all keep apart, the better for everyone.........
Seriously post and not trolling.
fishman said:
Hi all, would welcome your open opinion. We have a young family, 1year old and 3yr old and with the recent closure of the children’s equipped play park which we fully understand the reasons for it needing to close to protect the spread of the virus.
I am having an dispute with our Parish Council who decided in its infinite wisdom to also close our small village’s expansive park which is essentially a large grassed open space. This park / field has been a life saver for family exercising and we see it as absolutely essential since it provides a safe place to exercise the kids to fly a kite, push the buggy etc.. we have always adhered with the social distancing guidance and have always sought to do the right thing. We have limited safe alternative options to exercise the kids in the village our roads are typically narrow with fast passing traffic and it is a struggle and worry to use a double buggy on the road which underlines the great amenity and source of well being the Park has been provided upto now.
The Government’s latest COVID 19 advice states non essential community spaces should close but most councils near us are keeping parks open for exercise but ask that users maintain the 2meter clear guidance. Am I being unreasonable in expecting our Village Parish council to not restrict public access to the village park given Taunton, North Somerset and Devon are all stating parks should be open to support the need to provide essential exercise? There seems to be inconsistencies in the way Government guidance is being applied I have written to the MP Chris Loder to help but would welcome your thoughts as we are desperate to help balance the needs of the children to run off their energy before it takes its toll.
Stay at homeI am having an dispute with our Parish Council who decided in its infinite wisdom to also close our small village’s expansive park which is essentially a large grassed open space. This park / field has been a life saver for family exercising and we see it as absolutely essential since it provides a safe place to exercise the kids to fly a kite, push the buggy etc.. we have always adhered with the social distancing guidance and have always sought to do the right thing. We have limited safe alternative options to exercise the kids in the village our roads are typically narrow with fast passing traffic and it is a struggle and worry to use a double buggy on the road which underlines the great amenity and source of well being the Park has been provided upto now.
The Government’s latest COVID 19 advice states non essential community spaces should close but most councils near us are keeping parks open for exercise but ask that users maintain the 2meter clear guidance. Am I being unreasonable in expecting our Village Parish council to not restrict public access to the village park given Taunton, North Somerset and Devon are all stating parks should be open to support the need to provide essential exercise? There seems to be inconsistencies in the way Government guidance is being applied I have written to the MP Chris Loder to help but would welcome your thoughts as we are desperate to help balance the needs of the children to run off their energy before it takes its toll.
Protect the NHS
Save lives
It’s really not that difficult, is it?
SmoothCriminal said:
Seriously we have been on lockdown for a few days I doubt a 1 and 3 year old really need to be out in park.
Believe me when I say getting an 1hour of exercise daily is magic for them and helps massively with their sleep cycles. We’ve recently gone months with very little sleep due to teething and illness the loss of the park will impact us considerably.Gassing Station | Speed, Plod & the Law | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff