An unexpected theme tune of recent months has been Blur's hit Parklife. It jangles around my head, my own lyrics replacing Phil Daniels' Cockney narration.
'Kids, come off your tech for another bleak plod — Parklife.' 'Can't go to the gym, so I'm off for a run — Parklife.' 'A friend's alone with her dog. Can we have a distanced chat? Parklife.' 'All the people, so many people . . .'
For decades of my life, urban parks have offered little interest. Acquire a child or a dog, or both, and suddenly these green spaces become paramount. In lockdown, they have become city-dwellers' most important shared space. Though even they are now being billed as a potential danger zone.