The warmer months are ideal weather for everyone – from families with children to pet owners and cyclists – to make the most of the green open spaces that public parks offer.
That said, these outdoor areas are not without their risks, and the correct public park safety signage is just as important here as in places like leisure facilities or food and drink venues.
Having safety signs that are clearly visible and compliant – ideally informed by a thorough public park risk assessment – is an effective way to both guide behaviour and safeguard the public.
From pet control to cycling restrictions and playground safety signs, the right signage is key to a safe and enjoyable environment.
Why Park Safety Signage Matters
Small pockets of green space at the heart of a city and large public grounds designed specifically for recreation need appropriate public park safety measures. Communicating risks effectively means you can prevent injuries, public unhappiness, and even potential liability issues.
Playground safety signs (equipment rules, age limits, etc.) are especially important, since they’re designed to safeguard children as vulnerable park users. However, public park safety signs can also be useful to highlight any hazards related to dogs, smoking, littering, or traffic.
Here, we outline some signage to consider when doing a public park risk assessment.
Access and Traffic
Parks tend to be pedestrian-only areas; however, there are zones where maintenance vehicles and emergency services might need to enter.
You can restrict access to these areas by using Authorised Personnel Only signs, and ensure pedestrian safety with 5mph Speed Limit signs in zones with potential collision risk.
You can also go a step further to keep entrances and walkways clear with No Parking signs.
It’s also worth thinking about directing cyclists throughout the park to avoid conflict (and collision) with pedestrians. You can keep certain areas bike-free with No Bicycles public park safety signs, and clearly mark cycling routes to avoid confusion and signpost designated lanes.
Playground Safety Signs
To keep children safe, there are certain playground signage requirements you should adhere to. Playground safety signs can take the form of supervision warnings (Adult Supervision Required) and age restriction signs.
Think about kids – and potentially adults – playing outside the designated areas too. If any zones of the park pose safety risks, make sure to mark those with clearly displayed No Ball Games signs.
Playground safety standards can even stretch to preventing dogs from accessing the area – both for hygiene purposes and to avoid potential injuries.
Pet Management
Along the same lines, you should also consider providing guidance for dog owners. In addition to No Dogs Allowed signs for the parts of the park where pet access is prohibited, Dogs Must Be Kept on a Lead warnings can be very useful in high-traffic areas like footpaths, car parks, or shared spaces like picnic spots.
And while it should go without saying, it’s always worth reminding people to clean up after their dog with signage such as No Dog Fouling.
Food, Drink, and Substance Consumption
If, as part of your public park risk assessment, you identify hotspots for picnics and group gatherings, it might be a good idea to introduce some guidelines. This can include things such as No BBQs, Alcohol-Free Zone, No Smoking, and No Vaping.
It’s also a good rule of thumb to include some park safety signs about litter and waste disposal to ensure proper hygiene. You can remind visitors to Use Bins Provided, encourage recycling, and warn them to keep the premises tidy.
Effective Public Park Safety with Label Source
Following a thorough public park risk assessment, you can ensure the effectiveness of your signage by placing park safety signs in clearly visible locations, free from obstructions and, ideally, at eye level.
In terms of positioning, place these near relevant activity zones (cycle paths and playgrounds), as well as footpaths and entrances. It’s also worth investing in safety signs
made from durable materials, since they’d be exposed to the elements, and choosing signage which uses universally accessible symbols.
Get started by browsing our range of prohibition safety signs, and don’t hesitate to contact us if you need help choosing the right ones.
