New guidelines for enjoying our parks

Published: 13 May 2020

Following the Government’s change in guidance, visitors will be able to make more use of Derby’s parks and open spaces from Wednesday 13th May. The Derby Parks team are asking all park users to be considerate and continue to use social distancing to keep themselves and each other safe.

You can now spend time outdoors, for example sitting and enjoying the fresh air, picnicking or sunbathing, as well as using the parks for exercise as much as you wish. What else is new is that you can meet one other person from a different household in one of our parks or open spaces, as long as you keep at least two metres away from them.

To accommodate the new guidance, we are making the following changes from tomorrow:

• Our outdoor sports courts and facilities such as tennis courts, multi-use games areas (for playing games such as basketball) and sports walls will be open. Please use them with members of your own household, or with one other person while staying two metres apart. More information about our tennis courts is in our advice about specific facilities.
• We are re-opening our car parks that were closed during lockdown, including Alvaston Park, Allestree Park, King George V Playing Fields, Markeaton Park, Osmaston Park, Pit Close Recreation Ground and Sinfin Moor Park LNR. All others remain open.
• All angling on Derby’s parks is managed by the Earl of Harrington’s Fishing Club, who have put guidelines in place for it to resume.  The guidelines include the requirement for anglers, as is the case with all park users, to practise social distancing.

However the following restrictions will continue to apply until further notice to ensure that we all follow the measures needed to keep ourselves and each other safe:

• No team sports, unless you are only playing with members of your own household. The Steve Bloomer Artificial Turf Pitch at The Racecourse remains closed.
• Park toilets will remain closed.
• Play areas and outdoor gyms will remain closed.
• Skate parks and BMX tracks will remain closed.
• Cafes, kiosks and ice cream vans are not currently serving refreshments but this is being reviewed in line with Government advice.

Please help us keep our parks tidy by taking all your litter home with you. Thank you for your understanding and co-operation. By using our parks and open spaces with consideration we can enjoy the full benefits of being outdoors.

Environment, Health, Leisure, Public safety