Parks have an incredibly important part to play for local communities, now more than ever before. We spoke to Mark Camley, Executive Director of Park Operations and Venues, about the changing role of the Park in the current environment:

"With the beautiful weather of the last week, parks like ours would normally be full to bursting with people out enjoying themselves, the parklands and the fresh air.

Yet, while COVID-19 keeps us at home for most of the day it’s been great to see people still using the wide-open spaces of the Park responsibly, keeping to the social distancing rules, for their once-a-day outdoor excursion. Many people who live locally don’t have access to gardens so the Park has a vital part to play. And, it’s a safe space, too, thanks to the essential work of our security team who continue to work through the day and night looking after our visitors and venues and the parks team who help ensure that it is well-maintained and litter free.

Sadly, our venues are closed for the time being with events cancelled but it was great to be able to play our part in the ‘Clap for Carers’ initiative on Thursday night with the big screen on the London Stadium lit up to thank the great work of the NHS and other caring services. And while we are working to keep the place ticking over before we can all return as normal, we are also working with local authorities and our partners to make sure that those same venues can be used by the NHS and emergency providers if needs be.

Construction work at East Bank is paused but it’s important to remind ourselves that in the not-too-distant future what is now a building site will be full of students, musicians and museum and theatre-goers visiting state-of-the-art buildings and world-class institutions.

Places like Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park remind us what we can achieve – creating amazing venues, homes, jobs and parkland out of spaces that were once out of sight and out of mind. 

The Park helps to bring people together to celebrate and have fun. It will continue to do that for those seeking their daily exercise today and for the crowds who will flock back in the future. 

I’m looking to get the fountains switched on again and for children to scream with delight as they paddle their way through them."