Laura Sharman 27 April 2020

Councils praised for reopening hundreds of parks

Councils have been praised for reopening around 340 parks and green spaces in the past week.

Councils were warned by the Government last week that parks should remain open throughout the coronavirus crisis to protect the wellbeing of the nation.

Communities secretary, Robert Jenrick, said councils had listened to the call and reopened hundreds of parks across the country.

'I’m grateful for the work of councils who have ensured, ahead of this weekend, that most parks across England are now open and cemeteries and graveyards in their area are also open for visitors,' he said.

'We’ll continue to work closely with them to try to get the remaining parks open soon, wherever possible.'

Research by the National Federation of Parks and Green Spaces found that 90% of Friends of Parks groups have reported that all parks in their area remain open.

Cllr James Jamieson, chairman of the Local Government Association, said: 'Councils know that visiting a park can have a positive impact on physical and mental wellbeing during this difficult time.

'They have worked hard to try and keep services running during this crisis, including keeping access to green spaces and cemeteries open for their residents.'

LocalGov Elections: Vote reformation image

LocalGov Elections: Vote reformation

Jonathan Werran, chief exec, Localis draws inspiration from a popular podcast on the Reformation to ponder the question of just how local are our politics.
SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Procurement Assistant Manager

Essex County Council
£34266 - £40313 per annum
Procurement Assistant ManagerPermanent, Full TimeUp to £40,313 per annumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Lawyer x 2 (Part-time Property Lawyer x 1 and Full Time Generalist Lawyer x 1)

Harborough District Council
£43,421 - £46,464
Harborough District Council’s vision is to work with communities in a vibrant, safe and prosperous district Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Harborough District Council

HR Consultant

Sheffield City Council
Grade 9 (£44,428 - £48,474)
We are starting a journey of significant organisation and culture change Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: Sheffield City Council

Adoption social worker

Sheffield City Council
Grade 08 (£40,221 to £43,421)
This is an opportunity to gain experience in working in the field of adoption. Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: Sheffield City Council

Experienced Social Worker - Children with Disabilities

London Borough of Merton
ME13 - £42,795 - £45,834 per annum
It's an exciting time to join Merton's Children with disabilities Team. Merton, London (Greater)
Recuriter: London Borough of Merton
Linkedin Banner

Partner Content

Circular highways is a necessity not an aspiration – and it’s within our grasp

Shell is helping power the journey towards a circular paving industry with Shell Bitumen LT R, a new product for roads that uses plastics destined for landfill as part of the additives to make the bitumen.

Support from Effective Energy Group for Local Authorities to Deliver £430m Sustainable Warmth Funded Energy Efficiency Projects

Effective Energy Group is now offering its support to the 40 Local Authorities who have received a share of the £430m to deliver their projects on the ground by surveying properties and installing measures.

Pay.UK – the next step in Bacs’ evolution

Dougie Belmore explains how one of the main interfaces between you and Bacs is about to change.