About sign up at local park

[sometimesgetsup]

Local park has requested no children’s parties in the summer season - AIBU to think they can’t actually enforce this?

I don’t know, you’d have to ask your local council really.

Have you asked them why?

Or asked if anyone in your local area SM groups know?

I do think it’s tricky to enforce. That said whenever I’ve been to a party in the park, food / drink / games are set at a distance to
the park so you aren’t infringing on other people’s enjoyment.

I guess it depends on the rules if there are any for the use of the park. No one here will know

They’re not banned from my local park but they have caused trouble in the past, as other kids didn’t know it wasn’t a public event, and tried to join in and some parents were nailing decorations to trees.

It will depend on who owns and manages the park

Oh and mess from balloons and party poppers.

Councils tend not to make these rules with zero reasons.

Do people have kids parties in parks? I've never known /seen one around here.

Depends on what a 'party' is though I think.

A group of friends playing in the park and having a picnic with cake - no they can't stop that and I don't suppose they want to.

Someone rocking up at 6am and putting reserved signs on all the benches, putting up a gazebo and roping off half the park with bunting, playing loud music and telling people they can't use the play equipment because it's Timmy's special day - no that's not ok!

Yes, i’ve been to one and my brother has done a couple for his young son. Really it’s just a picnic for 5-6 kids and parents and them all running around. Some may do some organised games. Guess it’s the mess, though one I went to we made sure we left the park as we found it.

They tend to use all the picnic benches in one area at one of our local parks. Which is a bit inconvenient for everyone else.

No problem with them partying on the grass though.

There are lots of kids parties in the park here. Generally it means they commandeer a table and put up some bunting and balloons. Then kids/adults have basically a picnic and play. I guess you could say no parties but it won’t stop people having a picnic with friends which is essentially the same thing isn’t it?

ETA there is a special place in hell for those that leave all the rubbish overflowing in the small bins that then gets strewn by foxes. I do think if people can bring the food they can also take the rubbish home with them.

I suppose it kind of is a public event in a way.

Yes, but try telling the parents of the birthday child that as it’s now a public event, they should let all park users join in…

We had our DS’s first birthday at a local splash park. A couple of blankets spread on the grass in a corner well back from the splash area and a small pop-up beach tent to keep seagulls off the food. No different to anyone else enjoying the area. We had a bubble machine on for a little bit and other kids came to get involved, the more the merrier!

We knew the park wasn’t exclusive to us so nothing anti-social, no music, nothing pinned up anywhere, all rubbish taken home with us.

That reminds me of a time, I arranged to meet a friend with our kids for a picnic and play at the local play park and some CF had put ‘reserved’ signs on all the tables for a party. We ignored their signs and sat there.

Sounds lovely.

But I’m not sure the local council would have made this rule for the OP’s park, if users acted like that?

There was talk of this happening near me, dont know if it has as thankfully my kids are no longer in that age group.

There was a bit of argy bargy on the local FB group because a family held what seemed to be a full class party but did it within the play area rather than the large grounds surrounding it and if other kids try to use the equipment, they were told no it was a private party. From what I understand it ended up in quite a slanging match at the time which carried on to social media. Made for very entertaining reading!

Some people really are that selfish and entitled, it should be common sense that you dont block of an entire playground but apparently it isnt.

I think they COULD enforce this if the council staff happened to be there, but they probably won't.

eurgh hate people doing this, so rude to monopolise a public space with your private event. If dogs run over and eat your child’s cake it’s your own fault. They never fully clear up. They never consider that other people might want to use the space.

Its better to have a party outside than a bunch of kids running around your home.

So that gives you the right to take over a public space? If you dont want kids running around your house then either book a private space or dont have a party.

No one should monopolise space, but it definitely isn’t their fault if a dog comes over and eats their food. Would you apply that to a family having a small picnic? A group of friends having a picnic? A person on their own having a snack?

People should control their dogs.

Also I do think it’s very possible to have a party without monopolising the space. If you’ve just got a picnic blanket and are sitting with food while the children run around the playground, I think that’s totally fine. If you start reserving all the picnic benches or cordoning off areas etc then no, that’s not on.

I dont have kids, but i stand by what i said i think its lovely, to have a kids party outside, fresh air let them run about no screens kick a ball, a few party games, let them run wild for a few hours etc.
Party food pic nic.
Not eveyone wants or can afford to book privet spaces.

Which would be fine if thats what happens, but as has been demonstrated on here these parties often monopolise the place stopping other people using the space or the equipment.

It’s only better for the two people who chose to breed them.