Barnet benefits from a vast number of beautiful parks and open spaces with many attractions, features and attributes such as play areas, sports pitches, cafés, water and wildlife features there is something for the whole family.

There is a park within one mile of the majority of homes in the borough. So whether you’re walking the dog, taking a morning stroll, playing with your children or relaxing with a good book, there's a park within easy distance for you to enjoy. Search the parks directory.

Highlights

• an outdoor gym at Oak Hill Park
• a number of led and general walks available throughout the borough
• 7 beautiful Local Nature Reserves (LNR) throughout the borough and A Site of Special Scientific Importance (SSSI) at Welsh Harp reservoir
• multisport facilities across the borough providing access to basketball, football and tennis courts
• over 40 play areas with new exciting equipment installed at Brookside Walk, Lyttelton Playing Fields, Mill Hill Park and Friary Park.
• the Dollis Valley Green Walk which is over seven miles of parks and open space with areas of conservation, woodland and play that can be enjoyed by everyone. 

Opening and closing times

Some Barnet parks are locked overnight. Where applicable the parks are opened by 8am and closed at various times depending on the season. Closure can be as early as 4.30pm in winter and are open as late as 10pm in the summer.

Help keep Barnet parks tidy

To maximise everyone’s enjoyment of our parks, be considerate on your visit and please:

• place your litter in the bins provided or take it home. Littering is unsightly and can cause harm to plants, birds and animals
• clean up after your dog. Dog faeces, apart from smelling unpleasant, can carry a disease called toxocariasis, which can cause blindness in humans
• keep your dog under control and on a lead in designated areas
• be considerate of fellow park users. Anti-social behaviour is an offence
• follow the countryside code. The code has been compiled to promote the preservation of England’s countryside.

What we do

Located on the border of Hertfordshire and Greater London, Barnet is the place where rural and urban landscapes overlap.

The large proportion of green belt land reflects this, setting it apart from other London boroughs as an attractive and leafy city-suburb. With 92 per cent of our residents using Barnet’s 206 parks and open spaces, we see it as crucial that they are beautifully maintained and accessible to all, with excellent facilities.

We strive to ensure that playing fields, recreation grounds, nature reserves and children's play areas are kept colourful, clean and attractive.

Lea Valley Regional Park Act

Under the Lee Valley Regional Park Act, all London boroughs pay a levy to the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority.

The Regional Park played a crucial role in delivering the 2012 Olympics. The facilities range from London 2012 venues like the White Water Centre and the Velodrome to heritage sites, the Ice Centre, golf, a visitors centre/farm, cycling, walking, horse riding, camping, nature reserves, and open parkland.