• ​To get PCC to listen to the residents & Save Canoe Lake in Portsmouth:
• Ban BBQs to Protect Our Swan Nursery 
•  Make improvements
• Make byelaws so fines can be enforced
• Increase Enforcement
• Bid for lottery money to improve this historic 140 year old site.

​We, the people of Portsmouth, are calling on Portsmouth City Council to implement a complete and permanent ban on barbecues at Canoe Lake. This area is a vital sanctuary for wildlife and a cherished nursery for our swan population. The current situation is unsustainable, ecologically damaging, and a drain on public funds. ​Canoe Lake is the heart of our local community. It is a place that brings all generations together, where families have made memories for years. It belongs to all of us, and it is Portsmouth City Councils responsibility to ensure it remains a safe, clean, and beautiful environment.

• ​The Petition Text

​Canoe Lake is one of the most beautiful and cherished spots in Portsmouth. The Canoe Lake area itself will be 140 years old on June 17, 2026, and for over a century, it has been a landmark for our city. However, it is currently under immense pressure. While we value the use of our public parks, the specific environment of Canoe Lake is entirely unsuitable for barbecues which bring in small & large groups.

• ​The residents of Portsmouth:  wish to remind Portsmouth City Council of their statutory duties to protect this site. The current level of disturbance and pollution at Canoe Lake directly conflicts with:
• ​The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981: Which protects wild birds like our swans from reckless disturbance and harm.
• ​The Environment Act 2021: Which mandates the protection of biodiversity and the prevention of environmental pollution.
• Byelaws: We formally request that Portsmouth City Council introduce specific Byelaws to prohibit barbecues at Canoe Lake. This will provide our Community Wardens and Enforcement Officers with the clear legal authority they need to issue fines and protect our park effectively."
• ​Protecting the Swan Nursery: Canoe Lake is a well-known nursery for our local swans and their cygnets. The heavy smoke and fumes from barbecues are harmful to their health, and discarded food and hot coals pose a direct physical threat to the birds.
• ​Large Gatherings and Damage: We have witnessed the area overwhelmed by large groups of over 100 people at a time. This results in significant areas of scorched, burnt grass and leaves the park in a state of disrepair that the people of Portsmouth should not have to tolerate.
• ​Direct Pollution of the Lake: We have witnessed oil, plastic, and other rubbish being discarded directly into the lake as a result of these large barbecue groups. This chemical and physical pollution is a direct threat to the water quality and the survival of the wildlife that lives there.
• ​The Financial Burden on Taxpayers: There is a significant financial cost to the people of Portsmouth in their Council Tax to constantly clear up the mess and repair the damage left behind by these groups. Our community funds should not be wasted on cleaning up after preventable anti-social activity.
• ​The Need for Enforcement and Community Safety: We are calling for the Council to deploy Community Wardens or Enforcement Officers to patrol the lake, especially during peak summer periods, to ensure the the rules are followed and we formally request that Portsmouth City Council introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) or a specific Byelaws.  By putting these legal measures in place, it ensures that the Police have the clear authority to act alongside Community Wardens and Enforcement officers to disperse disruptive groups and and issue fines effectively for what ever Byelaw has been introduced and protect this historic area effectively.
• Proposal for Heritage Funding : ​We formally call upon Portsmouth City Council to proactively seek funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund specifically for the restoration and enhancement of Canoe Lake. As one of our city’s most cherished historic landmarks, this site requires a dedicated investment strategy to ensure its long term preservation.
• ​Securing this funding would allow for: ​
• Restoration of Historic Features: Preserving the unique Victorian character of the lake and its surrounding gardens.​Infrastructure Upgrades: Improving pathways and accessibility to ensure the site remains inclusive for all residents.
• ​Environmental Improvements: Enhancing the water quality and surrounding landscape to support local biodiversity.
  ​By applying for these grants, the Council can demonstrate a clear commitment to protecting our community’s heritage without placing the entire financial burden on the local budget.
• A  Message from Protect Our Parks Portsmouth
• Protect Our Parks Portsmouth watches out for our city's green spaces, our streets, and ALL of our communities. While we are dedicated to looking after our city, we cannot do this on our own. We are here to support our communities and fight for the places we love, but we need your support to make this a reality. We will support our communities, but with this specific issue, we need your voices.

​ACT NOW: SIGN IT, THEN SHARE IT!

​Your signature is the Portsmouth communities strength. We need to show Portsmouth City Council that this is a demand from the people of Portsmouth who live and care for this city.

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SIGN: Add your name to protect our swans, our green spaces, and our community funds. Please make sure every member of your family signs individually—every voice counts!

​SHARE: Post this link to your Facebook, WhatsApp groups, and Nextdoor.

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WORKPLACE POWER: Tell your work colleagues about this. Sharing this link in your staff rooms or workplace groups helps us reach every corner of the city. We need the whole of Portsmouth standing together!

• TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR CHANGE
• About Protect Our Parks Portsmouth, we are a "Not For Profit Voluntary Community Group"
• Protect Our Parks Portsmouth 

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