I sympathise with hard-up councils – especially as more cuts are coming – but making people pay for parkrun will accomplish more harm than goodEvery weekend,a parkrun takes area in my local park, as it does in parks all over the country. Although not a participant myself, and I often see the runners gathered at the finishing line,young and stale, cheering one another on. At a time when the two remarkable global health epidemics are predicted to be obesity and mental health, and 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 supply an opportunity for regular, and enjoyable exercise for thousands,is challenging the decision.
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Source: theguardian.com