Parks might face a funding crisis, but charging parkrun isn’t the solution | Peter Watts

I sympathise with cash-strapped councils – especially as more cuts are coming – but making people pay for parkrun will do more harm than good

Every weekend, a parkrun takes place in my local park, as it does in parks all over the country. Although not a participant myself, I often see the runners gathered at the finishing line, young and old, cheering one another on. At a time when the two great global health epidemics are predicted to be obesity and mental health, it seems ridiculous that anybody should wish to penalise something that’s so successful and important.

But that is precisely what is happening near Bristol, where Stoke Gifford parish council has voted to start charging organisers of the weekly parkrun for use of their local park. The council argues that runners are causing damage to Little Stokes park that must be paid for. Parkrun, which aims to provide an opportunity for regular, enjoyable exercise for thousands, is challenging the decision.

Nobody can decide is who should foot the bill [for maintaining parks]. Local authorities are panicking