Connaught Gardens to remain closed while other Sidmouth parks reopen

Connaught Gardens and Blackmore Gardens in Sidmouth are to remain closed to the public, while other 'large or easy to access' park sites will re-open today.

The council decided to close parks to help people abide by social distancing measures and because of a reduced workforce - a decision that was balanced by the fact that East Devon is a rural district with good access to the countryside and open spaces.

East Devon's beaches and nature reserves have remained open throughout the lockdown.

While the restrictions are being loosened in some recreational areas in Sidmouth; this doesn't include sites which are quite small, enclosed and with narrow access ways, poor sight lines or restricted access points.

The council feels it will be difficult for the public to maintain robust social distancing in these sites, and so as not to increase the risk of viral transmission, the following sites are to remain closed:

• Connaught Gardens
• Blackmore Gardens
• All play areas
• Outdoor gym equipment
• All skate parks

Councillor Geoff Jung, East Devon's Portfolio for the Environment, said: "We believe we can safely re-open large parks and sites with access points, open borders or space that allow people to easily use the site for exercise while maintaining social distancing.

"We will re-open these sites by removing barriers and closure signage starting today (23 April) - it will take us a couple of days to complete this.

"This will mean that the majority of our parks will be open, giving residents ample green spaces within which to exercise responsibly.

"Social distancing signs will remain in place and we will remind the public to observe these measures.

"If people do not observe social distancing or congregate in our parks, we may be forced to close them all again.

"So we are putting our trust in our public and asking them to use common sense, follow the two metre social distancing recommendations and generally take responsibility for staying safe."

Due to restrictions in East Devon staffing levels, resulting from the virus lockdown, the council will not be able to maintain the parks and gardens to the same high standards as they were before closure.

However, from a positive environmental perspective, East Devon has already started a programme of actively re-wilding areas, encouraging biodiversity and wildflowers and cutting grass less frequently and this will continue.

Those using the parks for exercise can expect to see meadow length grass with access paths cut through it as a more prominent feature.

The council will only be able to conduct visual walkover inspections of its sites as staff are focussed on maintaining core operations services, self-isolating or restricted from travelling due to health reasons.