London’s Park & Recreation
Parks in London are managed by the City of London Council and the Royal Parks Agency. Two groups of parks exist in London – namely the Royal Parks (owned by the monarchy) and the open green spaces(opened to public).
Royal Parks
The Royal Parks are land originally owned by the monarchy for their recreational use. Public access isnot normally granted unless one receives a personal grace from the Queen. The Royal Parks are maintained by the Royal Parks Agency – an official government commission. They are among the most beautiful parks in the country. With increasing urbanization, many of the parks have been opened to public. Some of these parks include the Hyde Park, Regent’s Park and St James’ Park which are the among the largest green spaces in central London. The Royal Parks are the perfect places for couples to stroll in peace and tranquility and families to have a quiet picnic during the weekends. Whatever activities that one choose to do, these green spaces are a sure way to escape from the hustle of city life in London – at least momentarily.
Of special interest is Hyde Park which has a Speaker’s Corner for commoners to voice their opinions onstate affairs. Hyde Park has been a site for many protests in the past. It is also a common place forconcerts such as rock concerts and a site for part of the BBC Proms’ events. There is also a niche Rose Garden designed in 1994 for people passionate about roses. Its rectangular design closely mirrors the Central Park in New York City.
Open green spaces
Open green spaces, on the other hand, are public spaces that anyone can use to engage in legal activities. These spaces or parks are maintained by the City of London Council ( the city government ofLondon). It owns and manages some of Londoners’ favorite leisure spots – such as Hampstead Heath, Highgate Wood and Epping Forest. Select classes such as horse-riding, tennis and fishing take place in these parks. The public can also engage in activities such as rugby, cricket, cycling or even obtain a permit to camp overnight. Travelers interested to engage in such activities should check with the city government’s website to check the range of activities allowed in each individual park. For travelers with kids, adventure playgrounds are definitely a sure way to brighten your little ones’ day. These adventure playgrounds are individually run by members of the public and is often a place formums to gather and chat while their kids socialize and play. Definitely a place for adults to mingle and kids to make new friends and enjoy themselves. Do check with the city government to find out the availability of a playground at the park near you.
Gentle reminder
Travelers who violate park rules, especially at the Royal Parks, can be fined 50 pounds on the spot bythe police and rangers. Various universal park rules apply in London too. These include 1) no littering2) cleaning up after your pet 3) no flower-picking or environmentally-degrading behaviors 4) do check the cycling rules at each individual park with the City Government or the Royal Parks Agency.