Islington parks are a ‘lifeline’ for people without their own gardens

JOGGERS and people exercising or walking their dogs have been reminded by the Town Hall to stick to social distancing rules or risk losing access to the borough’s parks.

Police had been concerned sunny weather over the Easter weekend could see repeated scenes of sunbathers in Islington parks.

Officers have continued their patrols alongside council parks officers to ensure the parks aren’t being misused.

The Town Hall has said that despite some reported issues, compliance with social distancing improved in parks over the long Easter weekend.

But, added a spokeswoman, while the council wants to keep parks open they will be forced to close if people do not keep following the rules.

Signs have gone up in Islington’s public parks, asking everyone to respect the social distancing rules and keep two metres apart from each other.

Social distancing signs in Highbury Fields

Last week, council leader Richard Watts took to Twitter to ask people to only use parks once a day for exercise, and to not play team sports or participate in group activities.

“If you’re taking your dog for a daily walk, please keep them on a lead, stay away from other people, and don’t forget to wash your hands as soon as you get home,” he added.

“The more we stick to these rules, the quicker we can get them lifted.”

Ruth Rosenthal, of Highbury Crescent, wrote to the Tribune to explain the behaviour of some runners and cyclists led to her and her husband – both in their 70s – avoiding nearby Highbury Fields during the daytime.

“We live in a flat and have no garden to walk in, we face onto the Fields,” said Mrs Rosenthal.

“Over the past three weeks we have only been out to exercise twice, once very early in the morning and once around 8pm.

“This is because of the behaviour of the runners and cyclist who are often breaking the two metre rule.

“Exercising in this environment proved so stressful that we just couldn’t cope.”

Council officers are patrolling Highbury Fields 

Cllr Rowena Champion, executive member for environment and transport, said parks were a “life-line” for people who don’t have access to a garden of their own.

“Exercise and contact with nature has enormous benefits on physical and mental health, especially in these challenging times, and our parks are a real lifeline for people in Islington who do not have their own outdoor space,” she said.

“We will do all we can to keep our parks open, but if people do not act responsibly and fail to adhere to the Government’s guidance, we will have no option but to close them.

“It’s vital that people using our parks do so once a day only and remain at least two metres away from others, as doing so prevents the spread of the virus and saves lives.

“In order to avoid overcrowding, we also encourage people to consider taking their exercise earlier in the morning or later in the evening so they’re not using our parks at peak times.”

The rules for social distancing in Islington parks are:

• Keep two metres (about 6.5 feet) away from other people at all times
• Keep in groups of no more than two people, except for families who live in the same house
• No sunbathing, picnics or BBQs
• Keep your dog on a lead and at a safe distance from other people
• No group sports – the park is for outdoor exercise once a day
• Runners be responsible, stay 2 metres apart and don’t overtake unless there is room