Staying safe at Warwickshire’s Country Parks

The safety and wellbeing of our park visitors is our top priority, and our rangers work hard to make our parks and greenways as safe as possible. However, in any natural environment, there will always be risks and hazards present. We ask all park visitors to look after themselves and those around them by following our health and safety guidelines:

• Stick to marked trails and paths to prevent accidents and protect our wildlife and habitats.
• Download the what3words app – this generates three words that can be used by emergency services to accurately locate you should you get into trouble.
• Stay well away from the water’s edge. The bodies of water in our parks aren’t safe for swimming or paddling, so please keep a safe distance. This includes when the water is frozen over: playing on ice puts yourself and anyone who may try to rescue you in deadly danger.
• If flooding occurs, don’t drive or walk through flooded areas – you don’t know how deep it is or what might be beneath the surface!
• Watch out for falling trees – stay away from tall trees, particularly in windy conditions. If winds are very high, it’s best to avoid wooded areas altogether.
• If you require first aid, talk to one of our rangers. Always call 999 in an emergency. Please let our rangers know about any incidents that occur.
• Help us prevent dangerous wildfires that can damage habitats and kill wildlife by not lighting barbeques or bonfires. Barbeques aren’t permitted at any of our sites.
• Don’t eat anything you find at our parks (unless it’s in one of our cafes!). Mushrooms and berries may look tempting, but many are dangerous or deadly, and even experienced foragers can find it difficult to tell the difference between edible and toxic varieties.
• Clean water drinking water taps can be found outside the visitor centre at Kingsbury Water Park, by the toilet block at Ryton Pools Country Park, and opposite the toilets at Hartshill Hayes Country Park.
• Always wash your hands at the end of your visit and before eating or drinking.
• Help preserve our wildlife by observing from a safe distance. Don’t disturb their natural habitats and avoid feeding them.
• Check the weather forecast before your visit, and make sure you’re prepared for changing weather conditions.
• Always ensure pets are under control and don’t pose a threat to other park visitors, wildlife or livestock. Be mindful that not everyone is comfortable with dogs, and that some dogs may respond unpredictably to people or other dogs. Keep them close by and/or on a leash at all times.
• Keep a close eye on children. It’s also important to talk to your children about the hazards found in outdoor spaces and the safety guidelines we’ve shared, particularly relating to water safety and poisonous plants.
• Please don’t enter any prohibited areas or climb or sit on structures that are not designed for this purpose.
• Help maintain the beauty of our green spaces by getting rid of your litter responsibly. Put it in a designated bin or take it home.

Thank you for your cooperation in reading and following our safety guidelines. Should you have any questions or concerns, please email us at parks@warwickshire.gov.uk