Coronavirus: Updated guidance for using Country Parks and Sites
Following the latest Government announcement that people will be able to travel to exercise in England only, we know many Shropshire residents and visitors will be keen to visit Country Parks and heritage sites across the county.
While this is understandable due to the many physical and mental health benefits, the safety of our staff, volunteers, communities and visitors is our top priority.
We strongly recommend that you keep to exercising in your local area to avoid too many people visiting our most popular sites. These sites will still be here for you to visit when restrictions are lifted.
If you do choose to travel to exercise at one of our sites, we strongly recommend that you plan your visit and research the many sites that are available. This will help to avoid everyone visiting our most popular sites at the same time and make your time exercising safer.
You must maintain social distancing and stay 2 metres apart from anyone that is not from your household and this will make this much easier.
Visitor centres, café’s, play areas and toilets at all of our sites will remain closed until further notice to protect staff and visitors.
BBQ’s are also not permitted at any of our countryside sites due to the increased fire risk to avoid putting our emergency services under unnecessary added pressure.
If you or a member of your household has symptoms of COVID-19, you must stay at home and not visit any of our sites.
Lezley Picton, Shropshire Council Cabinet member for culture, leisure, waste and communications, said:
“The lockdown restrictions haven’t been easy for people and I’d like to thank the vast majority of our residents for following the government guidance.
“We understand that people will now want to travel to exercise. However, the health and safety of our communities is our number one priority so please continue to exercise in your local area and avoid travelling to our sites. They will still be here for you, they are being well looked after and will look forward to welcoming you back when the time is right.
“If you do visit one of our many sites across Shropshire, you must maintain social distancing. If you spot someone breaking the rules, you should call the Police immediately.”
For more information, visit Shropshire’s Great Outdoors website.
Useful Links
Shropshire Council: http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/coronavirus/
UK Government: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do
Public Health England: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england
