Pavilion Gardens: council announces enhanced cleaning in 2026

Enhanced cleaning measures at Pavilion Gardens to tackle goose poo problem

In September 2026, High Peak Borough Council announced enhanced cleaning measures at Buxton’s Pavilion Gardens to help reduce the impact of Canada geese and safeguard visitors.

“The numbers of this non-native species have grown significantly this summer due, in part, to people continuing to feed the birds despite repeated requests by the Council not to,” the council said.

Goose droppings: up to a kilo a day

The council said an adult goose could produce up to a kilo of droppings a day. It said the droppings affected the cleanliness of play areas, paths and grassed spaces, and could carry bacteria including E. coli that pose a health risk.

The council went on to say, “To help reduce the potential risks, the Council is increasing cleaning of the worst affected areas and introducing sanitising stations in high-use locations.”

Public asked not to feed geese

Councillor Damien Greenhalgh, Deputy Leader and Executive Councillor for Regeneration, Tourism and Leisure, said: “We cannot ignore these potential health risks – public safety has to be our primary concern so we need to take action now. In the short term, that includes making people aware of the risks, increasing the cleaning regime, and providing facilities for people visiting the park to clean their hands.

“In the longer term, that means considering other ways of managing geese numbers and restoring the balance in the park so that everyone can enjoy a safe, clean environment.

“The population of geese continues to dominate, pushing out native species and affecting biodiversity. People feeding the geese plays a significant part in attracting them to the Gardens and keeping them there, so the biggest thing we can all do immediately is stop feeding them. I urge people in the strongest terms to support us with this.”

By September 2026, the council had introduced waterside planting to discourage birds from grassed areas, alongside public education and increased signage.

In its September announcement, the council said those measures had not yet had the desired effect and that officers were developing further options for councillors to consider, including ecological improvements and a site biodiversity plan.

The council’s current guidance asks visitors not to feed birds in the gardens.

Boating Lake works

In September 2026, Explore Buxton understood that desilting work was planned for the Boating Lake over the winter of 2026–27. Contact Pavilion Gardens for the latest information on any works.