Barbeques banned at Rother Valley Country Park as visitors bask in bank holiday sunshine
Barbecues are banned
Rother Valley Country Park is one of the county’s most stunning natural spots, boasting a number of outdoor leisure activities like mountain biking, water sports and even a campsite.
But in a new bid to tackle littering, bosses have announced that this year they will be banning all barbeques from the park, hoping to help ‘protect people, wildlife and our green spaces’.
The park is always popular for picnics and barbecues during spells of good weather and this bank holiday weekend temeperatures are set to soar.
A statement on the country park’s Facebook page explaining the decision reads: “This includes barbecues of any kind (disposable, wood, coal and gas). In line with the other country parks, this will help protect the park, our visitors and the wildlife.
“Of course, picnics are still very much welcome at the park as we understand that eating outdoors is part of the Rother Valley experience. We kindly ask that visitors take any rubbish and leftovers home with you or recycle them.
“Even when used carefully, barbecues on or off the ground can and have sparked grass fires and caused serious damage and harm to the park and to visitors. Such incidents put people, pets, and wildlife at risk, so prohibiting barbecues from the park is an important step we are taking to ensure safety for everyone.”
Last summer, visitors complained to The Star about littering around the park, which is run by Rotherham Council.
In July, one visitor sent in pictures showing two barbeques abandoned by the lake’s bank, surrounded by black bin bags.
When the barbecue ban was announced, Star readers welcomed the decision.
One regular visitor to the park said: “We visit often and walks are spoilt by the leftover coals of barbecues and litter.“
“Really glad to see this,” another added.
“It makes the park much more pleasant for everyone when we don’t have to worry about smoke or the damage left behind by disposable BBQs. Looking forward to more picnics here.”