The Department of Parks has laid out beach and park restrictions as the Cup Match holiday nears.

It reminded members of the public that Ferry Point Park in St George’s; Chaplin Bay in Southampton; and Higgs and Horseshoe Islands were all designated campgrounds available for use.

Camping for the Cup Match holiday will also be permitted between Wednesday and the following Sunday.

A camping permit can be purchased for $15 a night at the Parks Department Office in Global House on Church Street.

No camping will be permitted at Blue Hole Park and Nature Reserve in Hamilton Parish or Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve during the Cup Match Holiday.

Camping will also be prohibited on the dune immediately behind Jobson’s Cove in South Shore Park to protect rare and sensitive plants in the area.

Signage will be erected in the area warning people about the policy.

Tents and ropes are not permitted to mark spots on Monday and officers with the parks department will take down any ropes or tents put up on parks or beaches.

Campers may pitch tents and tarps on Tuesday to secure a spot – however, no one will be allowed to camp on the site.

No spray paint, markers or any other form of graffiti can be used to mark camping spots, especially on trees.

Park gates will open during the day on Wednesday to let campers and picnickers set up.

Park rangers will begin to lock park gates at 9.30pm on Wednesday and will remain on duty until 10pm.

Park rangers will also be on duty from 8am to 9pm on Thursday and Friday and from 9.30am to 6pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Lifeguards will be on duty at Clearwater Beach, John Smith’s Bay and Horseshoe Bay between 9am and 7pm throughout the holiday period. Horseshoe Bay will close at 8pm on Thursday.

The Department of Parks will also have employees on duty between 8am and 6pm helping with parking and traffic control at West Whale Bay, Horseshoe Bay, Warwick Long Bay West, Elbow Beach, Clearwater Beach and Cooper's Island Park.

All vehicles must be parked in designated parking lots for the safety of park users.

People who will be around Clearwater Beach were asked to park in the large parking lot to avoid blocking the narrow pathway to the main entrance of Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve.

The Department of Parks reminded the public that horses are prohibited from being on any beach in South Shore Park, as well as at John Smith’s Bay, Elbow Beach and Shelly Bay, between May 1 and October 31.

Horses are allowed on the Railway Trails and dunes.

Dogs are also not allowed on public beaches between April 1 and October 31.

Those who would like to host an activity or event on a public beach must contact the Parks Office in advance.

Bonfires must also follow the rules and regulations listed in the Bermuda National Parks Act 1986.

For more information, visit the Government’s parks department website or call 236-5902.