Sports and Recreation Grounds

Colchester's Parks and Recreation Service offers many outdoors sports opportunities including high quality facilities for rugby, football, cricket, bowls and tennis - right across the Borough. They can be booked by individuals, teams, leagues or schools.

Protection Order introduced to combat dog fouling on Mill Road Sports Ground

In November 2016, a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) was introduced to Mill Road Sports Ground to help combat dog fouling. The PSPO worked well over its two-year duration and has helped to combat the problem.  In October 2018, a public consultation was undertaken regarding the PSPO and it has now been agreed to continue the PSPO for a further two years.  The new PSPO takes effect from the 1 November 2018. 

The order for Mill Road Sports Ground includes:
•    Exclusion of dogs from the sports pitch areas of the sports ground and area used by the archery club (?)
•    Dogs to be kept on a lead on non-sports pitch areas 
•    Dog fouling and failure to pick up

The Council's Community Zone Wardens have the power to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) for breaching any of the points above, including a fine of £50.  If a dog owner fails to pay, Court prosecution and a £1,000 fine can result.  

Background to the Public Space Protection Order

In 2014/15, Colchester Borough Council worked with local sports clubs, residents and organisations after receiving complaints on the volume of dog fouling on the playing surfaces at the sports ground, due to the failure of some dog owners to pick up after their pets. 

The Council sought to address these concerns/complaints and tried several different approaches, including additional signage on site encouraging owners to clean up after their dogs, a voluntary ban asking dog walkers to keep off the sports pitches and an increased presence of Zone Wardens in the area; but unfortunately these had little impact.

In December 2015 a survey was carried out with local residents and users of Mill Road Sports Ground in Highwoods and Mile End, which resulted in the majority supporting a ban on dogs from the sports pitches, area used by the archery club and that dogs should be kept on leads across the whole site.

To address this feedback, the Council introduced a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. The PSPO for Mill Road Sports Ground works alongside the new borough wide dog fouling PSPO, but has additional exclusion zones and requirements that are specific to the sports ground.

Report It

It is recognised that the minority of dog owners who do not always clean up after their dog cause a disproportionately negative impact on residents' enjoyment of the Borough's streets and open spaces.  All residents are encouraged to report instances of dog fouling to the Council to better enable enforcement to take place. (Quick link to dog mess reporting page)

The Council undertakes enforcement of dog fouling as part of its work to promote public health, protect the environment and encourage responsible dog ownership.  Dog waste bins, litter bins and the household black bag waste collection can all be used to dispose of dog waste responsibly.
 
More information on reporting dog fouling

View PSPO Mill Road Sports Ground

View Mill Road Dog Control Order Zones

Sports and Recreation Grounds

CASTLE PARK BOWLS CLUB Find on the map

• Bowling green
• No parking. Click here for public car parks
• Bookings: 01206 282007
• Contact: Castle Park Bowls Club: Tel 01206 7296697
• Useful links: Colchester Bowling Association  

CASTLE PARK CRICKET GROUND Find on the map

• Useful links: Colchester Cricket Club

LEXDEN KING GEORGE SPORTS GROUND Find on the map

• Three full size football  pitches (11 a-side)
• Three 7 a-side football pitches
• Lacrosse
• Changing rooms for players and referees
• Car parking
• Bookings: 01206 282007

MILE END SPORTS GROUND Find on the map

• Six full size football pitches (11 a-side)
• Cricket pitch
• Changing rooms for players and referees
• Car parking
• Bookings: 01206 282007
• Useful links: Great Horkesley and Lexden Cricket Club

MILL ROAD SPORTS GROUND AND RUGBY CLUB Find on the map

• Rugby
• Cricket
• Archery
• Changing rooms for players and referees
• Car parking
• Also home to Colchester Rugby Club.
• Bookings: 01206 282007
• Useful links: Colchester Rugby Club; Colchester Cavaliers Cricket Club

OLD HEATH RECREATION GROUND Find on the map

• One full size football pitch
• Bowls
• Changing rooms for players and referees
• Outdoor gym (free of charge)
• Street parking
• Bookings: 01206 282007
• Useful links: Colchester Borough Bowling Association  

SHRUB END SPORTS GROUND Find on the map

• Six full size football pitches (11 a-side)
• One floodlit three G all weather pitch*
• Hockey
• Running track
• Rounder pitch
• Long jump
• Changing rooms for players and referees
• Car parking
• Bookings: 01206 282007. *: All weather pitch booked through Colchester United. Please telephone 01206 755168

WEST END SPORTS GROUND Find on the map

• Tennis - 10 porous tarmac courts incl. floodlit courts
• Tennis - 3 grass courts
• Indoor bowls
• Outdoor bowls
• Changing rooms for players
• Car parking
• Bookings: 01206 282007
• Colchester Indoor Bowls: 01206 570432
• Useful links: Colchester Leisure World Tennis Centre; West End Bowls Club; Colchester Borough Bowling Association