Stoke Gifford Parkrun shuts down following council dispute
by Matthew Campelli | 03 Jun 2016
The council wanted runners to pay £1 each to take part
Parkrun has closed down its operations in Bristol’s Little Stoke park following a dispute with the local parish council over money.
In April, Stoke Gifford Parish Council voted to introduce a charge for Little Stoke Parkrun after complaining that runners were damaging paths and car parks without contributing to the cost of maintenance.
Following conversations between the running organisation and local authority, the former has come to the decision that keeping the Little Stoke run going was unviable after the council insisted that members were charged £1 per week to compete. Parkrun does not charge anyone from taking part in its runs.
Revealing Parkrun’s decision, chief operating officer Tom Williams said: “Key to our success has been our determination to remove as many barriers to participation as possible, with cost being one of the most critical.
“Stoke Gifford Parish Council’s initial request for us to charge £1 per week went completely against our most fundamental principles and, as a free event, their subsequently revised requirement for Parkrun to contribute financially to the maintenance of the park is also something we’re unable to do.”
Williams added that “despite the efforts” of Parkrun to highlight the benefits it produces, it was “unable to convince them [the council] of the true value”.
“We are all really disappointed that Little Stoke Parkrun has found itself in this position,” said Becky Bushnell, co-event director at Little Stoke Parkrun. “The past eight months have been a difficult time for the volunteer team as all we have ever wanted to do is run, jog and walk in the park with friends.”
Parkrun Stoke Gifford Parish Council running physical activity06 May 2016
Parkrun row could 'open up dialogue' between activity providers and local authorities
22 Apr 2016
Government urges parish council to “reconsider” charging for parkrun
13 Apr 2016
Parish council votes to charge parkrun for local park use
FEATURE: Talking Point – Should we be charged for running in a park?
Parkrun has closed down its operations in Bristol’s Little Stoke park following a dispute with the local parish council over money. In April, Stoke Gifford Parish Council voted to introduce a charge for Little Stoke Parkrun after complaining that runners were damaging paths and car parks without contributing to the cost of maintenance. Following conversations between the running organisation and local authority, the former has come to the decision that
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