There are 92 parks in Islington, of which half are currently locked overnight. The locking process can take up to three and a half hours to complete, and in the summer months begins at 9pm.
The council argue that this means most parks aren’t locked until late at night, diminishing the potential that locking has to reduce anti-social behaviour.
If the changes go ahead, all 122 green spaces in the borough will be left open, apart from certain named areas which will be managed by park rangers or the community, including Highbury Fields, Rosemary Gardens and Whittington Park.
It’s estimated that the change will save £140,000, of which £40,000 will be reinvested into Islington’s Parks Security Budget. In practice, this will see additional park guard patrols, CCTV towers if required and temporary locks for sites if needed.
Residents have one month to express concerns
Those in favour point out that it will make parks more accessible, especially in the longer summer months. The council also promise that if the changes go ahead, they will monitor anti-social behaviour more closely.
Residents are being encouraged to have their say on the matter, via a survey which is open until the 7th of April.
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Standfirst
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HeadlineIslington council propose changes to their parks
Short HeadlineTo Lock or Not To Lock
StandfirstIslington council are proposing a change: to stop locking all parks and open spaces in the borough.
There are 92 parks in Islington, of which half are currently locked overnight. The locking process can take up to three and a half hours to complete, and in the summer months begins at 9pm.
The council argue that this means most parks aren’t locked until late at night, diminishing the potential that locking has to reduce anti-social behaviour.
If the changes go ahead, all 122 green spaces in the borough will be left open, apart from certain named areas which will be managed by park rangers or the community, including Highbury Fields, Rosemary Gardens and Whittington Park.
It’s estimated that the change will save £140,000, of which £40,000 will be reinvested into Islington’s Parks Security Budget. In practice, this will see additional park guard patrols, CCTV towers if required and temporary locks for sites if needed.
Residents have one month to express concerns
Those in favour point out that it will make parks more accessible, especially in the longer summer months. The council also promise that if the changes go ahead, they will monitor anti-social behaviour more closely.
Residents are being encouraged to have their say on the matter, via a survey which is open until the 7th of April.
