Park keepers could return as crowds are expected
PLAN TO COPE WITH END OF LOCKDOWN
PARK keepers could be employed at beauty spots in part of Nottinghamshire to break up large gatherings and keep the area safe.
Other boroughs are also set to increase their Covid marshals to ensure people are not gathering in large groups and keeping socially distant.
Concerns have been raised about the numbers of people likely to flock to open spaces as the weather improves and Nottinghamshire comes out of lockdown.
Issues have been reported in the past at Bramcote Park and the Arboretum, where police attended.
Councillor John Clarke, leader of Gedling Borough Council, said the local authority is currently looking at employing park keepers.
Councillor Clarke said traditional park keepers that would monitor the grounds and would permanently be on site were lost due to cuts.
He said they worked like police officers and ensured parks were safe and that anti-social behaviour and other problems were stamped out.
He believes with more people driven to parks due to cur- rent and ongoing restrictions it seems like the perfect time to bring them back.
He said: “After April 12 people will be going out like mad and we will be patrolling the parks. We don’t want to spoil it for people. “But as more and more people are on these parks the Covid marshals will be dealing with that.
“We do have park rangers but we are thinking of going back to park keepers. “They have gone due to cuts but I think it might be time we focus our minds on it because there is going to be more people walking outside and running outside.
“It would be like an area caretaker (in the smaller parks) but in the larger ones we need to look at permanent residency. Parks are police free unless there is an incident.” Councillor Milan Radulovic, leader of Broxtowe Borough Council, said: “We have not got a particular problem in Broxtowe, but we are looking to increase our patrols.
“All the parks, recreation grounds and open spaces - we want to make sure people obey the guidance and don’t congregate in groups or gangs. “We have had some calls where there have been incidents where groups have not complied with the laws. We don’t take a heavy hand on that. “It is particularly in places that are being well used and we need to make sure it is safe and that people feel safe and secure.” Councillor Simon Robinson, leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council, said he would continue to use Covid marshals in the area’s parks and open spaces.
After April 12 people will be going out like mad and we will be patrolling the parks.
Cllr John Clarke