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Original poster

Anyone know when playgrounds will be open?

92 replies

cantstopstressing · 31/05/2020 19:26

I hope to god it's soon.

OP posts:
PasserbyEffect · 31/05/2020 19:55

I feel the same. We're lucky to have a small garden, and a large nature reserve a short car ride away.
But the boys and I miss the local playgrounds (3 within a stone throw, and all closed to the public!)

But I worry that since there's no money to be made out of these (in fact they are a net cost for councils), and your average politician doesn't give a damn about young kids, playground won't reopen any time soon.

FurForksSake · 31/05/2020 19:56

Jennie Harries said in the briefing not in the forseeable future as you can't social distance in a park today.

EsmeeMerlin · 31/05/2020 19:58

I hope they do too, we have to completely avoid the one in our local park because my two year will just keep trying to go there and will then tantrum when we pull him away. We would also like to visit another park nearby and break the routine of the one we have been visiting but the reason why my kids love it so much is because of its fantastic playground so I don’t see the point in going if they can’t use it.

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 31/05/2020 20:00

I think they'll be the last things Sad Seeing all the deserted playgrounds has been one of the most poignant things for me.

ReySky · 31/05/2020 20:00

The Council have allowed the skate parks to open back up where I live, but no word on playgrounds yet.

TheShapeJaper · 31/05/2020 20:01

Phase 2

TheBitterBoy · 31/05/2020 20:02

I agree, they will be the last thing, because they aren't / can't be regularly cleaned, and social distancing is impossible unless you have someone regulating use, which is impractical and expensive.

Original poster
cantstopstressing · 31/05/2020 21:05

Exactly my sentiments. I hate seeing my nearly 2 year old desperate to go in and not being allowed. Just seems cruel. I don't get why we can't do social distancing in playgrounds? Most generally aren't packed anyway. And just wash hands before and after. Sounds over dramatic but it makes life so so much harder especially when you live in central London with little or no outside space. My older kids don't find the wider park fun without the playground and it's a nightmare trying to keep them entertained. I also don't get why the government can't be clearer about this. Surely if they are opening gyms on 4th July they can open playgrounds too? I really haven't heard anything about this.

OP posts:
Original poster
cantstopstressing · 31/05/2020 21:07

I also don't get how/why they are deemed more risky than public transport or supermarkets.

OP posts:
ineedaholidaynow · 31/05/2020 21:08

With young ones it probably is quite hard to stop them putting their hands near their faces before you have time to wash their hands

Playdonut · 31/05/2020 21:11

They will be last as it's now a war on children not a war on the virus. Only things that help the vulnerable increase the r rate, things that help the economy or are enjoyed by tory voters are always low risk.

notheragain4 · 31/05/2020 21:12

We live opposite a park, I am praying it'll be open for the summer holidays, our lives would be exponentially better and I could cope with this all so much more!

HidingUnderMyDuvet · 31/05/2020 21:15

@cantstopstressing

I also don't get how/why they are deemed more risky than public transport or supermarkets.
I think maybe it's because they're not essential? Supermarkets and public transport will also (hopefully) have people disinfecting them. Can you imagine local councils trying to disinfect the playgrounds? Confused
Cornettoninja · 31/05/2020 21:15

I was hoping that depending how things go with the schools partly reopening playgrounds would be reviewed at the beginning of the six weeks holidays. It does make sense they’re not top of the list though.

I’ll commiserate with you though, it’s so sad to have no where to head to and actually do something.

Viviennemary · 31/05/2020 21:17

I heard that woman in the daily briefing today talk about risks in public playgrounds. So doesn't sound like it. How depressing.

Cornettoninja · 31/05/2020 21:17

They will be last as it's now a war on children not a war on the virus

Behave @Playdonut, there’s no need for red top sensationalism Hmm

ineedaholidaynow · 31/05/2020 21:18

Many schools have cordoned off their play equipment in their playgrounds.

notheragain4 · 31/05/2020 21:20

I would buy my kids hazmat suits and bleach the equipment hourly if it meant they could play there....!!

nickEcave · 31/05/2020 21:21

@reysky where do you live? We are in London and my DD is absolutely desperate for skate parks to open but I thought they were still closed.

Squishsquashed · 31/05/2020 21:31

Following this thread as had really been hoping they'll open soon. I am lucky enough to be home temporarily with our 2 year old, before lockdown we'd go to a playgroup in morning and a different playground in afternoon every day. I know how lucky we were, but miss it so much. My DD looks wistfully at the playgrounds but never asks anymore.

We used to go to a large playpark/farm every weekend with an annual pass as DH is often away.

I'm very grateful that I haven't had to wfh with her but it does feel quite isolating not seeing anyone at all when DH away and trying to think of things to do all day every day for several months! I don't really mind feeling lonely and tired myself but I do worry about DD as she used to enjoy the things we did so so much, her eyes would light up at playgroups and she'd be so excited at playgrounds.

She seems very happy still, but I feel like I don't see that lit up excitement in the same way. I'm pregnant and had hoped to take her to the playgroups with baby in a sling etc for conversation and support, but I can't imagine they'll be back then and DH probably can't take paternity or anything (again we're grateful though that he has work!)

Can't really see anyone else as toddler can't socially distance and I think it would be detrimental to make her try so it's just us for the foreseeable few months it seems.

Playdonut · 31/05/2020 21:32

@Cornettoninja

They will be last as it's now a war on children not a war on the virus

Behave @Playdonut, there’s no need for red top sensationalism Hmm

You might be happy about ruining your children's childhood but please dont expect the rest of us to join you. The playground is less risky than ikeax guess which one is staying shut??
formerbabe · 31/05/2020 21:34

I heard that sunlight kills covid pretty quickly...I can't see why they can't open the playgrounds especially when the weather is so warm and sunny. But as we're learning... children don't matter in this sorry mess.

Blondiecub0109 · 31/05/2020 21:41

Phase 2 under the Scottish road map (Crosses everything) DS had just discovered the swings at starting lockdown. Our village has a small park on every corner, we deliberately avoid buying any garden play equipment and can’t wait for them to reopen

Anyone know when playgrounds will be open?
LisaSimpsonsbff · 31/05/2020 21:45

I do understand why playgrounds are considered risky and so why they will probably be very late to open. It still makes me sad, though. DS (22 months) tantrummed every time we went past the one pretty much opposite our house without going in for a week (that was fun) and then seemed to accept it - or so I thought until I heard him lying in bed saying to himself 'park closed, park closed' sadly Sad

Cornettoninja · 31/05/2020 21:48

You might be happy about ruining your children's childhood but please dont expect the rest of us to join you

How long exactly do you think they’re going to be closed? Get some perspective fgs.

My child’s childhood will be fine thanks, mostly because I’ve not got a perpetual victim mentality.