Are playgrounds re-opening on July 4th?

[KitKat1985]

Just that really. My 3 year old DD is desperate to go on the swings at the park. I've seen a lots about pubs, restaurants, hairdressers etc re-opening from the 4th of July, but no real clarity about playgrounds. Can anyone shed any light?

[Littlebelina]

Yes! Outdoor ones anyway. Very happy about it here

[Weekends]

They are indeed 😀 Boris Johnson announced it in his speech last week.

We will be there bright and early - enjoy!

[FrugiFan]

The government website says play areas can open "as long as they can be kept clean" OWTTE. So it's possible that some councils will decide not to open because they don't deem it "safe" - but in theory they are allowed to open.

[Frazzled2207]

Yes although in most cases it will be up to councils to actually open them. Ours have been padlocked and the swings actually taken away😨

[Powerof4]

The government said they can reopen ‘if they can do so safely’. I don’t know what that will mean in practice

[Bol87]

A local garden centre near us has a fantastic outdoor play area (and indoor) & I nearly cried with joy to hear they are reopening the outside bit! They are ticketing it, so I’d feel comfortable it won’t be heaving. And that they’ll clean it each evening!

Our local park however is crazy busy on a nice Saturday & no-way they could police how many are using it. I think I’ll give that one a miss or take my DD down when it’s raining 😂 we’ve always been a go outdoors whatever the weather type & chuck on a puddle suit. Parks are lovely & quiet when it’s drizzling & the slides super slippy 😄

[Mol1628]

That’s what we do. Go when it’s wet. So much better!

[KitKat1985]

Ahh fantastic!!! Thank you all for your replies.

[DominaShantotto]

I've asked our local council. Pointed out they managed to get the swings chained up pretty rapidly so I would like some assurance they'll get the guy out to unlock them equally as rapidly. No response as of yet but it's the weekend and our local council are generally a shower of shit anyhow.

[itsgettingweird]

Bol love your style! Ds and I went for a lovely long walk earlier in the rain to have plenty of space to ourselves

We have a park in our road. It still got out of use sign in it but the garden ties have been cut. Few kids have gone in and played this week. Ds (15) with asd is most incensed they are breaking the law.

I've pointed out 3 kids at once at distance and for an hour or so in this sunshine isn't anymore of a risk than going to supermarket IMO or the beach.

I'll be interested to see if they all flock their next Saturday.

[AlandAnna]

It wouldn’t surprise me if they stay closed here (village, demographic suggests well children playing is too much like having fun). But I hope I’ll be proved wrong

[AlandAnna]

I’m pretty much a Covid rule follower but I have turned a blind eye to my children and their friends from school having a quick go on an empty playground as I see it as risk free.

[Ohwhocares22]

Does anyone know of any research/ information about the accurate risks of playgrounds? I've heard a lot about how touching surfaces is/ is not dangerous and I'd like to make a properly informed decision. Off to google now but suspect it will be a minefield

[wherethewavesarehighest]

Tomorrow for us, can't wait.

[nevergoingoutagain]

Yes!!! Our playpark is literally in front of our house, my daughter has been staring wistfully at it for ages!

[MrsWombat]

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-managing-playgrounds-and-outdoor-gyms/covid-19-guidance-for-managing-playgrounds-and-outdoor-gyms?fbclid=IwAR3S1ixnTqf595_Jmv4WOQAtU78uJPqYJFPBbJX8yV_WmLDP3X6cai1UtJ8

The guidelines don't look promising. I'm guessing a play area in a pub garden with limited customers might be ok with a bouncy castle style queue, and holiday parks can use a booking system similar to how they book swimming pool sessions. The local council playgrounds however....

[Lipz]

Ours opened last week here in Ireland. We have one right beside our supermarket on its own land. As we were queuing for the supermarket, I said to dh that I was glad we didn't have smallies. OMG IT WAS MENTAL, I've never seen so many people. There was queues from the 4 gates right around the car park AND cars queueing to get into the car park. The amount of people in the playground was crazy, all on top of each other, screaming and shouting and it was like prisoners being freed after doing a life sentence. We thought it would be just ours like that but sil put up pics on fb of hers and they had a booking system that went to pot, as most climbed the wall and it was free for all.