PARKS in York will open their gates on Boxing Day for the first time in years, the city council has announced.

Rowntree, West Bank and Hull Road parks, as well as Glen Gardens and Clarence Gardens, will be open from 8am to 4pm, thanks to staff at City of York Council's commercial services department.

Weather permitting, the bar walls will also be open for visitors at the same times on Boxing Day, but all will be shut on Christmas Day.

Coun Dave Merrett, Labour leader, made representations to council officers, and said he was pleased his requests had been acted upon.

Dave Meigh, the council's head of parks and open spaces, said: "We're really fortunate in York that there are plenty of places for people to walk off their Christmas excesses even when the parks are closed. However, a few members of the team have volunteered to open up the parks and walls on Boxing Day, which will mean there are even more places for residents and visitors to enjoy."

Coun Keith Orrell, the council's leisure and heritage chief, said: "The Lib Dems have a continued commitment to making open spaces more attractive and accessible, and seeing the city's parks open on this important holiday is one more step forward.

"I hope that lots of families will have the chance to enjoy the park staff's hard work during the Christmas break."

Kay Hyde, of York Tourism Bureau, said: "We're delighted the city council is opening York's parks and city walls for Boxing Day. After the hectic run-up to Christmas, Boxing Day is traditionally a day to relax. York's green spaces and city walls form an integral part of the city's heritage, and offer visitors and residents the chance to enjoy the fresh air and take stock. The Museum Gardens offer a city garden in an idyllic location, and New Walk is perfect for a stroll to Rowntree Park".

Visitors and residents can pick up informative walking trail guides for both the city walls and New Walk from the Tourist Information Centres in advance for 60p.

Updated: 10:37 Thursday, December 22, 2005