This is one of the few differences between the departments that will appear in green or red, in the deconfinement map which is to be unveiled by the Ministry of Health this Thursday. In theory, those classified in the second category will not be able to reopen their parks from Monday, unlike areas where the virus will circulate less intensely and where hospital tension will be lower.
But in Seine-Saint-Denis, the president (PS) of the departmental council, Stéphane Troussel, wishes the reopening of the eight departmental parks * Monday, whatever the color fixed for the 93. So far, he has not elsewhere never left the red zone and it is highly unlikely that this will be the case by Monday.
850 hectares of green spaces
At the start of the week, the elected official made his request to the prefect. “From May 11, even if Seine-Saint-Denis is in red, residents will now be able to go out like everywhere else in France without a certificate, he explains. They will be able to go out into the streets, in their neighborhoods, and personally I consider it essential that they can have access to these 850 hectares of green spaces. »
In a department where confining oneself will have been more restrictive than elsewhere, given the average size of housing and the scarcity of properties benefiting from terraces or gardens, the president of the departmental council believes that this breath of fresh air will be beneficial. for the inhabitants.
“It is a way to reduce the constraint that this period will have represented, while respecting the health rules, he insists. But I think it’s easier to respect social distancing in parks than on the street or at the bottom of your building. »
Playgrounds, barbecue areas or sports areas would remain closed
What about the risk of gatherings inside these gigantic green spaces, where the control of these rules will be more difficult than in town? “Risk exists everywhere. This question will arise everywhere on the territory, answers Stéphane Troussel. But I prefer that people have access to these green spaces and I will make commitments to ensure that this is done in the best conditions. We will prohibit access to playgrounds, sports areas, football stadiums and barbecue areas. »
The eco-guards will be present and “will be able to ensure strict compliance with the instructions, including recommending the wearing of a mask when necessary”, he continues.
Spaces difficult to control
In recent weeks, these parks have been talked about, but in the news column. On April 22, a woman was raped in Sausset Park, in Aulnay. A few days earlier, a man wandering in that of La Courneuve had been shot three times after rushing at the police with a knife.
Spaces so large – more than 400 ha for Georges-Valbon Park – that it has sometimes been difficult to control them since March 17. Equestrian brigades but also the national or municipal police carried out interventions, but the patrols there were random. They depend “on the staff we have”, whispered a police officer at the end of April.
And managing flows could be even more complex from May 11.
The prefecture will not decide anything before Thursday evening
For 51 days, the services of the county council have observed some degradation, damaged fences to allow discreet access to the parks. Interventions had to be carried out to restore them. “Incidents, rare, which also happen the rest of the year”, blows Stéphane Troussel.
On the side of the prefecture, it is indicated that “discussions are in progress” and “no decision” has yet been taken on this subject. According to our information, nothing will be decided before the defense council which will take place this Thursday, and the announcements which will follow. Arbitrations are rather expected at the end of the week, Friday or even during the weekend.
*Georges-Valbon (La Courneuve), Île-Saint-Denis park, Sausset (Villepinte-Aulnay), Jean-Moulin – les Guilands (Montreuil-Bagnolet), La Poudrerie (Sevran) La Bergère (Bobigny), La Fosse-Maussoin (Bondy), La Haute-Ile (Neuilly-sur-Marne)
–
