No Charge For Ealing's Parkruns
Council will 'not entertain' idea of introducing fees
Ealing will not be following Stoke Gifford Parish Council and charge Parkrun to use the borough's parks.
Nearly twenty thousand people have now signed a petition after the Bristol council announced on Tuesday it would be the first in the world to charge a fee for use of its grounds.
Councillors there claimed it was "unfair" to expect non-running residents to pay for the upkeep of paths, and were in favour of charges for "wear and tear".
Hundreds take part in two free, timed runs organised by Parkrun UK in Little Stoke Park on Saturdays. Organisers said the decision meant the end of the event, prompting a huge outcry.
In Ealing, Parkruns take place on Saturdays in both Gunnersbury and Northala Fields and a junior one on Sundays in Pitshanger - all are extremely popular.
Ealing Cabinet member for Environment and Transport and Leisure, Councillor Bassam Mahfouz, said, ''Parkrun is a fantastic, fun, free way to get fit with a great group of people in a gorgeous setting. I am delighted that we have been able to support the introduction of the Northala Park Run as a local councillor. There is no way that I would entertain any suggestions of charging Park Run for their activities. I’d encourage residents wanting to get fit to give it a go on a Saturday morning – they’ll absolutely love it and catch the bug for running.''
Kelvin Walker, director of Pitshanger Junior ParkRun welcomed the news, ''It’s relatively reassuring to hear that Ealing Council have no intention of charging for our Pitshanger junior parkrun event in Ealing. In just over a year we have had 700 children complete the 2k free weekly event and it’s the highlight of the week for runners and volunteers alike. Long may it continue to be a free, weekly, timed 2k event. Hopefully some councillors and officers will come and visit us soon to see the enormous benefits parkrun and junior parkrun bring to their local community.''
13th April 2016