Grounds maintenance

The Parks and Open Spaces team are responsible for the maintenance of a variety of open spaces and associated facilities throughout the Borough. 

 

There are 238 hectares of parks and open spaces which include local parks, 31 outdoor sports pitches, tennis courts, 8 pavilions, 18.1 hectares of highway grass verges, sponsorship sites, leisure centre grounds, property sites, school grounds, housing sites, library sites, Social Services sites, Youth and Community sites, car park sites, several local cemeteries and over 90 play areas.

 

 

Grass areas are cut on a regular basis at either urban or rural frequencies. Residential areas, parks and highway verges are cut 11 times a year (urban frequency) but where such frequent cutting is unnecessary or the growth of wildflowers is being encouraged, the grass is cut twice a year (rural frequency). Grass cutting is carried out throughout the summer with a final cut in March.

Areas are litter-picked before cutting. The cuttings are left on site to compost down and cleared from footpaths. 

Please note that the grass cutting schedules may be affected by weather conditions. 

 

 

Hedge trimming is carried out once, twice or three times a year depending on location.

 

 

Shrubs are pruned, according to species, as part of the autumn/winter maintenance programme. Any new tree or shrub planting is also carried out at this time.

 

 

Litter bins on open spaces are emptied once a week. Dog waste bins are emptied twice a week.  Disposal bins for dog waste are provided in many of Wokingham's parks and open spaces.  Where they are not please take dog mess home with you for disposal.  Information on dog fouling can be found at Dog Fouling Tips.  Please note that children's play areas and sports pitches are designated as dog-free areas.

 

For general information about Parks and Open Spaces or any of the facilities described above please email: Parksandopenspaces@wokingham.gov.uk and your query will be forwarded to the appropriate person.

 

For out-of-hours queries please contact the Forestcare emergency service on 0800 212 111.

 

Avian Flu  

 

DEFRA advises the public to call their helpline (08459 33 55 77) if they find:

 

 

Callers will be asked to provide details of the finding and location.

 

DEFRA also advises that if members of the public handle dead birds that it is important that they wash their hands with soap and water as quickly as possible. Consideration should also be given to the use of disposable gloves. Touching the face and eating should not take place until hands have been washed.

Further details can be found at the Defra wesbite avian flu section.