New signs ask for public consideration on college playing fields
Okehampton College and the town council have joined forces to clarify when the public can use the playing fields at Simmons Park, following concerns about dog fouling and student safety.
The field beside the Pavilion Café is used by the college for PE lessons and sports fixtures with other schools. It is reserved for students during the school day but is open to the public outside school hours and during school holidays.
Dog mess has become a particular problem, with PE lessons now beginning with students checking the field before staff clear any fouling to make the area safe.
New signs have been installed to explain the rules for using the pitches. Dogs are not permitted on the field during the school day, while they must be kept on a lead whenever an organised sporting event is taking place. This includes activities run by community groups such as the Okehampton Community and Recreation Association (OCRA).
Dog owners are also reminded that they must always pick up after their pets and dispose of waste properly.
The college has asked members of the public to treat staff respectfully if they are asked to leave the pitches during school hours, following some recent exchanges which it said had fallen short of expected standards.
Gareth Smith, Principal of Okehampton College, said: “We want the community to be able to use our field at the right times, but our students must be able to use it safely. We have had reports of students stepping in dog mess they had not seen, and there are obvious health concerns with that.
“It is great that local groups such as Wellbeing Walks Okehampton have contacted us about using the field during the school day, and I am pleased we have been able to support them.”
The college is also keen to encourage greater community use of the pitches outside school hours. Matt Bailey, Curriculum Leader for PE, has launched a Crowdfunder to raise money for additional goalposts, which will be available for community use as well as college activities.
Donations can be made at crowdfunder.co.uk/p/okehampton-football-goal-project.
Councillor Bob Tolley, a member of Okehampton Town Council’s Parks Committee, said: “The pitches at Simmons Park are leased to the college until 2031. The college has to balance providing the best education for its pupils with keeping them safe while they are in its care.
“Nobody wants to see these fields fenced off. That is why Okehampton Town Council and Okehampton College have worked together on new signage that clearly explains when and how the area can be used, helping to protect pupils while maintaining community access.”