Our council isn’t opening playgrounds

[Thewheelsonthebus23]

But the neighbouring council are.

I’ve just had an email response from our council and I’m so angry.
Why on earth aren’t playgrounds allowed to re-open but indoor places like pubs are? Oh and theme parks are also allowed to open! None of it makes any sense to me.
I’m thinking of writing to my MP although it probably won’t make any difference.
We went to the neighbouring town today becatse we knew they’d be open and they were.

All the pubs and cafes in our area are open too...I’m so angry
They said in the email they’re sending someone round to re-tape up all the ones which have been pulled off.

I agree with you OP

I do not have young ones anymore but I do feel for them, and their parents . It certainly does not make any sense .

I think we could be in the same council, DS was gutted when we went on Saturday,

Somebody posted that the guidelines for keeping playgrounds COVID secure and clean were too vague so their parish council (iirc) decided to keep the playgrounds that they manage closed.

That sucks OP :( I dont know how they justify that while allowing indoor spaces to open.
how far to the neighbouring council area - could you drive their to use their parks?

@whereistherum we may well be. Don’t want to give my location as don’t want yo out myself, but we’re in Yorkshire.

@FrugiFan only 20-25 minutes drive, so it’s doable.

@DullDullWeather I honestly feel like crying and we don’t have a garden either.

Email your MP. Email the council, start a Facebook outrage post and encourage people to do the same. These shitty councils need calling out on it. If most are opening with self regulation by parents re handwashing/handgel then they all can. Or just go on the equipment anyway if you can get in.

I'm on a parish council and I'm trying to get the playground reopened. I've been voted against so far by the other councillors. The guidelines say it can be opened only if it is safe to do so. This means the equipment being cleaned several times a day (like public toilets) and special rules notices being put up. The parish council is going to do a risk assessment tomorrow but I think the answer is going to be no as we are a small parish and don't have the funds for several times a day cleaning.

Ouc Council have issued a notice saying much what spababe is saying - they can open if safe, which needs frequent cleaning, and they're working out how they can do this. Pubs and theme parks are fully staffed, so limiting numbers and cleaning between customers is a possibility. playgrounds are planned to be zero staff, so staff for managing numbers and cleaning equipment aren't available. It's hard to see how they will get around this, especially given the hit to their finances that they've already taken because of Covid.

@spababe so that means them staying closed inevitably? This is all so unfair on children, especially those of us without gardens.

Where does it say they need cleaning? Is this a case of guidance being full of "if possible" and "may" and councils reading it as gospel?

Puts aren't being cleaned at all. They are open with notices (laminated and cable tied) with the rules on. Why can't all councils do this?

Ours in West Yorkshire have been opened, but I am aware of some that have remained closed. I was so pleased when I went past one on Friday night and the swings had been set free!

I certainly can't imagine they are being cleaned a couple of times a day though!

Opening pubs is for economic reasons, they are privately owned and obviously losing income. Playgrounds are LA owned, are a nice-to-have amenity but don't make any money. In fact will actually cost more money as they will need risk-assessing and extra shifts. Lovely if you are in an LA that has made a decision to open but realistically you can see why it's not a top priority. I would email and fb (if you have a town page) etc. And get your friends to do the same.

@Thewheelsonthebus23 I know and I'm trying to get ours open but it's a struggle.

@Hercwasonaroll The councils are afraid of being sued and that their insurance won't cover them

Government guidance including cleaning is here www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-managing-playgrounds-and-outdoor-gyms/covid-19-guidance-for-managing-playgrounds-and-outdoor-gyms

It’s so annoying and another example of how children are being treated as the least important in society during this pandemic. How are pubs open with very little controls and playgrounds not? The risk has got to be less in an outside playground than a pub. Soft play I totally understand but outside swings and slides?

I've been wondering about the parks. Has anyone been to a park in Leeds?

@Doje we are in West Yorkshire too. Where abouts are you?

@Thewheelsonthebus23

No, we are down south, the only saving grace is that they have allowed DS' year to go back this week, so I have my fingers crossed for good weather and playgrounds open next weekend

Sued for what? You'd never be able to prove you got corona from a park.

Government needs to come out strongly and back councils in opening. Shoddy behaviour from councils that aren't to be honest.

Sued for what? You'd never be able to prove you got corona from a park
Prosecuted by the Health and Safety Authority for not following government guidelines correctly and causing a public health hazard.

Our council have said that it isn’t feasible for them to clean playgrounds therefore it’s our responsibility when we use them to keep safe - they recommend wiping down equipment before and using hand sanitiser. It seems fair enough as I can’t see how they could do it or police social distancing.

Is this a case of guidance being full of "if possible" and "may" and councils reading it as gospel?
There are several items labelled “must” that councils feel they cannot reasonably comply with.

The Government guidelines for play areas mean equipment must be cleaned regularly and relocated to allow social distancing, stewards and a booking system must be provided, along with new entrances and exits.

Cllr Caritas Charles, North Somerset Council’s executive member responsible for parks and green spaces, said: “We are not able to operate our play areas under the current government guidelines which we consider to be unrealistic and unworkable."

Leeds city council aren’t opening any. Beyond annoyed!