Access to the country’s outdoor spaces has been vital for many in staying active and healthy during the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown. And while most spaces remained open, facilities such as play areas, cafes, tennis courts and bowling greens were closed to the public.

The new Managing Scotland’s parks and greenspaces during Covid-19 guide has been compiled by greenspace scotland. It brings together the latest advice from:

• Scottish Government 
• Public Health Scotland
• sportscotland
• VisitScotland 
• and a range of other organisations

"We know it can be hard to keep up with the official guidance and best practice. Thanks to National Lottery funding, this guide brings it all together.”

Caroline Clark, Director of Scotland at The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Caroline Clark, Director of Scotland at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “As lockdown restrictions gradually ease and we move through Scotland’s route map, parks and green space teams are working hard to maintain and keep green spaces open safely.

"We know it can be hard to keep up with the official guidance and best practice. Thanks to National Lottery funding, this guide brings it all together. It will assist green space managers as they make decisions about how to help communities and visitors enjoy parks safely.”

Getting the latest guidance

Managers of green spaces have to consider a wide range of challenges. This helpful guide includes the latest direction on:

• managing physical distancing
• visitor numbers
• volunteers
• site infrastructure

It also provides advice and practical examples of temporary interventions for adapting and managing green spaces. The guide will help park and green space managers ensure that their teams, volunteers, communities and visitors are safe, and that government standards and customer expectations are met.

"Now more than ever, we all need easy access to good quality local green spaces."
Julie Procter, Chief Executive at greenspace scotland

Julie Procter, Chief Executive at greenspace scotland, said: “As we continue to need to use physical distancing, parks and green spaces could become our safe open-air spaces where we can meet friends and family. At greenspace scotland, we’ve always talked about parks and green spaces as our natural health service, our children’s outdoor classrooms, our community and leisure centres without a roof.

"Now more than ever, we all need easy access to good quality local green spaces.”

• The guide can be found on the greenspace scotland website.