Essex County Council has announced it will not shut the cafés at Weald Country Park in Brentwood, Belhus Woods in South Ockendon, Cudmore Grove in Colchester and Great Notley in Braintree.
It comes after previous council plans to axe all four sparked a petition which racked up more than 4,300 signatures.
The proposals were set to be decided at full council on December 16, but have now been reviewed outside of the meeting, an Essex County Council spokesperson confirmed.
The spokesperson said: “We are pleased to confirm that, after careful consideration, we have agreed to keep the cafés at Belhus Woods, Cudmore Grove, Great Notley and Weald Country Parks open.
“The decision was made after exploring all the options, including the financial running costs, the community value and potential savings.
“It will ensure we continue to deliver the best experience for residents at our country parks.”
A report presented to the Great Notley Country Park joint venture partnership board at a meeting on November 7 revealed that the council “experienced a number of operational and financial challenges” in managing the cafés – but it does not specify what these challenges were.
The report said: “The cafés operate at a combined net cost, excluding central overheads and recharges.
“It is considered by ECC that the cafés cannot continue to be a significant loss making (sic) and subsidised by council taxpayers.”
It is not clear how long after this report was published that the decision was taken to save the cafes.
READ MORE: The Havering stations that have the most late trains
Cllr Mark Durham, cabinet member for the arts, heritage and culture, said the decision means visitors can “continue to have a welcoming place to meet at our country parks”.
Cllr Durham told the Recorder: “I am delighted with the decision to keep these valuable café facilities at our country parks open.
“Over 870,000 people enjoy these stunning green spaces every year, which benefit both mental and physical health.
“The cafés are enjoyed by many groups of visitors, from young parents to the more vulnerable and elderly.”
