Parks and Open Spaces

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council parks are open from 9am to 9pm daily (note there are several exceptions which are locally notified at the gates).

Public toilets are available at Wallace Park, Moira Demesne, Royal Hillsborough and in Castle Gardens.

We all want to enjoy the outdoors with our families and friends.

STAY SAFE - LEAVE NO TRACE - LOVE THE PLACE

Avoid popular honey pot sites - if there are lots of people it will be more difficult to stay 2 metres apart from others and observe social distancing.

Staff, volunteers and signage are there to help to keep everyone safe and healthy – please follow their instruction.

Now is not the time to end up in hospital.
Respect other users of the space.
For now:
- Choose familiar locations.
- Choose a safer activity.
- Choose an activity within your existing skills and experience level. Stick to low risk routes that you are familiar and comfortable with.
Many Governing Bodies of Sport have produced Guidance for their own sport – have a look at the more detailed guidance relating to your chosen activity (see links below this table).

Prevent your dog from approaching other people and their dogs, cyclists, livestock and wildlife.
It is difficult to retrieve a dog while observing social distancing.
Never let your dog worry or attack farm animals.
Wildlife may have nested closer to paths while no-one was visiting – please give it a wide berth.

Continue to follow public health guidelines on handwashing.
Remember hand hygiene if you touch any surfaces.
Toilets and facilities may not be open. Consider this in your planning and make alternative arrangements for your own provisions as required.

Plan ahead.
Check the site and facilities you need (such as car parks and toilets) are open before you leave home.

Plan your day around your needs and what will be available
You can travel for outdoor recreation, but consider if you need to currently until all the services you need are open again - are car parks, toilets, baby changing, playgrounds and other facilities open?
Have a look at the websites below this table for ideas of places to visit close to you and to check whether facilities are open.

The car park may be full.
Please do not park outside of designated parking spaces or on verges or gateways.
If the site is very busy, social distancing may be difficult and it would be wise to consider alternative venues.

Make sure the Emergency Services, local farmers or local residents will be able to pass by and to access fields, forests, or houses. If a car park is full, go somewhere else.

You can help everyone by taking your own litter home with you, especially at a time when staff and volunteers may be deployed elsewhere on site or reduced in numbers due to shielding.

Wildlife may have got used to you not being there and nested somewhere close by – please give nature some space to flourish.

Stay sensible, protect yourselves, protect our vulnerable and most of all, take care of each other.

ENJOY A HEALTHY AND SAFE VISIT TO OUR OUTDOORS

STAY SAFE - LEAVE NO TRACE - LOVE THE PLACE

Have a look at the websites below for ideas of places to visit close to you and information about whether the facilities are open: