Your recreation grounds

Epping Town Council are very fortunate to look after six many lovely green spaces in Epping Parish, including six recreation grounds (including five playgrounds) and a Meadow. Over the last year, as people have been encourages to spend and enjoy more time outdoors, some of our recreation grounds have been under severe pressure from additional visitors and rubbish. There are many great facilities to enjoy at Stonards Hill recreation ground, including tennis courts, a skate park, outdoor gym, outdoor table tennis table, children’s playground, five football pitches, petanque piste and Julie’s café. Walkers, picnics, dogs, exercisers and general visitors make this a very busy area.

Recreation grounds need to have their own rules that are designed to maximise everyone’s enjoyment of green spaces. Here are a few of the dos and donts that will ensure all users can enjoy the facilities without detriment to others.

We don’t allow: fires, barbecues (including portable), tents and gazebos, E Scooters or Electric bikes, drones, golf, horses or loud offensive music. No organised events (more than 3 people) without prior permission from Epping Town Council. Contact us by email and we will advise you.

To give a few examples: If someone has a bonfire, that burnt ground may well have ruined part of a football pitch.

Fires get out of control very quickly and a barbecue that hasn’t been put out correctly may cause an unnecessary call to the fire brigade who could be dealing with an unavoidable emergency.

Motorised vehicles are a hazard to small children who may be running around and no one wants a golf ball landing on them during a picnic.

You would be amazed at how much litter we collect from the recreation grounds, much of which has not reached the bins. Litter is a hazard to wildlife and attracts problems. Careful disposal of litter, including taking home dry rubbish is much appreciated.

Please help us to keep our recreation grounds in good condition, so all our users can enjoy them simultaneously, without harm or nuisance to others.

Come and enjoy yourself safely. �

Epping Town Council have a new website, which we hope is clearer for users. You will find information on all our services and functions for Epping Parish. www.eppingtowncouncil.gov.uk

Do you have a great high resolution picture that could be the front cover of Talk About Epping?

Portrait style, above 6MB, Epping Parish related, no people. Please email them in for consideration.

Thank you to David Jackman, Everything Epping Forest, for his ongoing media support and any pictures and content in this issue.

Visit: www.everythingeppingforest.co.uk