As we get used to a reality where we cannot go where we like, I wanted to share some of the more interesting changes in behaviour in the green spaces that I live near. What is going on near you? How are things changing for you and your movement in and around your local park/ green space?
I have three green spaces within walking distance of where I live, all quite different in character. A river corridor at the bottom of the hill, a cemetery halfway up (or down) the hill) and a district park at the top.
The cemetery has been particularly interesting. One of its entrances is located at the end of an unpaved access road, with a handful of houses looking onto it, with gates marking the cemetery entrance.
A home-made sign telling visitors to stop using the cemetery
Walking the dog one evening last week, and we spotted this home-made sign and the gates looked locked. We took another route, but I was really troubled by this closure of one of my local green spaces. After a bit of delving, I found out that a local resident was taking exception to people coming along the access road past their house into the cemetery. They were ‘sending people home’ because they wrongly thought that all the parks in the city were closed. This made me realise that not everyone goes out into parks, like I do. I just assumed that everyone is visiting parks and other green spaces for their daily exercise. But the reality may well be that a lot of people are getting their exercise by walking on the streets, or in their homes and gardens, or of course, not at all.
This cemetery is a highly valued green space in my local area
This was quickly clarified and a sign appeared on the cemetery gates stating that the cemetery would remain open – thank goodness! Being halfway up (or down) the hill means this space is really important for local residents who cannot easily get up (or down) the hill and back again.
The closed gate saddened me (the last time I felt like this was when the pubs closed!). We have all seen locked playgrounds which is another sad sight, but one which has a logic behind it. What is happening to benches is less straightforward. I’ve not seen these in person, but online where local authorities in Turkey have removed benches in the streets altogether to stop older people gathering, while closer to home in Boston, Lincolnshire, benches are being taped off to stop people of all ages congregating.
The playgrounds are closed, but we need to keep the parks OPEN!
This weekend, the weather is looking good and people should be able to use the park. But we really have to behave ourselves otherwise some parks will be closed, like Victoria Park in Hackney, London. It seems criminal that this amazing park which serves so many Londoners is locked and I really hope this decision will be revisited, because it just displaces the problem. The managers of Vicky Park’s neighbour, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park have written an open letter to all Londoners, pleading with them to follow the government’s instructions. I really hope that both of these big parks are open again very soon.
2m distance although not sure it has to be gender distancing too! Photo courtesy of @MarlboroughHways on twitter
It is weird keeping the 2m distance from other people, but it is now second nature. I don’t like it but my gut reaction is to head in a different direction when anyone walks along the same path as me in the park. If you need some tips, greenspacescotland have put some together here.
Keep safe and don’t forget to share what is going on in the green spaces near you @placekeeping