We welcome millions of visitors each year but there are still local people who don’t think these gardens, wetlands and pastures are for them. “People had taken parks for granted and perhaps forgotten what incredible spaces they are. Mark Camley, Executive Director of Parkland and Operations for Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford, east London, said that he was proud that the 560-acre park has played such an important part during the crisis. When asked about Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park specifically 73 per cent said it was at the heart of the community and an important asset for London during lockdown. It is the connection parks are forming with their local communities which makes parks one of the positives to come out of the pandemic crisis. The survey showed that during lockdown 60 per cent have been visiting their local park at least twice a week with only 11 per cent visiting less than once every two weeks. The Park will show its support with a message of support on London Stadium’s giant outdoor screen. The results come from a survey of 1,000 people living in London and the south east released on World Urban Parks’ “Go Green for Parks” Day (30 June 2020) in recognition of the vital work park staff have made during the pandemic. Only 23 per cent of those surveyed felt the risk of infection was a drawback to visiting a park. However, the data shows that parks have had a positive impact on improving physical health for 70 per cent and mental health for 73 per cent. 37 per cent of respondents said lockdown has had a negative impact on their physical health and 47 per cent say it has affected their mental health. Parks have been an invaluable lifeline for many people struggling during lockdown with government statistics showing 1 in 8 UK households lacking a garden. Ladybird love at the QEII Olympic PArk (c) Tim Webb Younger people are discovering the benefits of park life with 72 per cent of 25 to 34 year olds surveyed saying they will visit more than they did before the pandemic. The popularity of local parks soared during lockdown with more than 70 per cent of users saying open spaces had a positive impact on their physical and mental health.Īs Covid continues to ravage our communities, six out of ten people say they will continue to visit their local parks more than they did before Covid-19 hit.

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park valued by local community.7 in 10 younger people will continue to visit parks more than before Covid.60 per cent have used parks at least twice a week since the first lockdown.Physical and mental health boosted by parks say 70 per cent.Lockdown has had a bigger impact on mental than physical health but parks are a lifeline.Ministers have urged people to stay home as much as possible this long Easter weekend, as temperatures are expected to reach 25C (77F.)Ĭulture Secretary Oliver Dowden appealed for people to stay at home on BBC Breakfast and said the UK was “just beginning to see this strategy starting to work” and people needed to “stick with it”.Research by the Queen Elizabeth Olymic Park has found a deep seam of love for green spaces which visitors say will linger in their hearts way past the Covid-19 pandemic. (Photo: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) The long Easter weekend People cycle through Liverpool Park in Liverpool, northwest England, on April 9, 2020.

Police moved on 100 people from Primrose Hill in Camden on Saturday. Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said “sunbathing is against the rules.”īrockwell Park in Lambeth was forced to close last Sunday after more than 3,000 people flocked to the park last weekend. The government advice states that while people can go to parks once a day specifically to exercise, they should stay 2 metres, or 6.6ft away from others, apart from members of their household. In Greater London, visits to parks were down just 15% compared to life as usual before lockdown. People in London appear to be the most desperate to head out to find a green space.

London lockdown parks