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.

It just doesn’t make sense that ours aren’t open, but the neighbouring town which is about 20 mins away is opening!

I agree with you ours aren't open either. It's maddening as makes no sense whatsoever. The park warden was allowing families in yesterday saying they weren't breaking the law, but to get in they had to jump the fence as he had to keep it locked. It's all very strange.

Leeds, Liverpool and Greater Manchester councils are phasing the openings I believe to put safety measures in. The approach I was told Manchester was taking doesn’t involve regular cleaning, but it did sound bloody time consuming so I wouldn’t hold my breath. It does take the piss that everything that costs money can open - farm parks, zoos, treetop adventure, eg - but free things? Nope, screw you poor people.

In the SW here - our local LA have opened the playgrounds they manage with signs saying limited numbers, wipe down etc but some other local parish councils haven't opened theirs unfortunately.
Reading the guidance it's very vague & whilst it's says regular cleaning it doesn't say how often & certainly nothing about stewards?

Ours aren't opening. The council don't have the resources to do the usual early morning checks, let alone anything extra. Plus they can't safely transport worker in close proximity in the vehicles.

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.

How is mine open without any of this then? We have signs and that's it.

I've just read the guidance. Barely any MUSTS at all. Just steps "where practicable". Clearly the local play area doesn't need a freaking booking system!! Some councils are bonkers.

@edgeware we’re not far from Manchester, so I guess it could be something similar. Did they say what they’ll be doing that time consuming?

I've been to 2 play areas in the Greater Manchester areas over the weekend. No cleaning, no hand sanitiser, no stewards, no guidelines - just lots of happy laughing children and relieved looking parents.

Ours had not this weekend, I don't know if they have today.

I let my dc climb the bloody gate on Sunday. I have abided by all guidance throughout this, whether I agreed with it or not. But if I can continue to work as normal throughout, if pubs could open on Saturday, if non essential shops can open... my dc can play on a bloody slide and use hand sanitiser before and afterwards. I generally take a "even when the rules are stupid, we follow them whilst we go through the proper process of challenging them" approach but I have absolutely run out of patience. Keeping bloody playgrounds closed when Wetherspoons is open? You can absolutely kiss my arse if you think I can support that.

I think the Governmnet have put Councils in a very difficult situation. They said playgrounds can only open if local authorities can be sure they are Covid safe. To do that the equipment needs to be sanitised regularly and they have to make sure that they are not overcrowded. To do that I assume they will need staff at each playground. The cisy I live in has tens if not hundreds of playgrounds, I don't see how they can afford to have staff at each one. Many councils are already on the brink of bankruptcy. Without funding from the Government I don't see what choice some Councils have but to keep them closed.

We’ve just been going about 7.30am and climbing over the fence since sat!

I’ve I can take my whole family out for a Sunday lunch in a pub I will take my kids to an outdoors playground!

Have the posters here missed the news that many councils are teetering on the edge of bankruptcy right now? It sucks that paid for activities are open and free ones are not, the difference being that the council does not have to pay to clean a zoo or a pub play area.

To do that the equipment needs to be sanitised regularly and they have to make sure that they are not overcrowded. To do that I assume they will need staff at each playground.

The guidance doesn't say this at all. It is clear that parents can be asked to clean and use hand gel via use of signs. Remember the guidance has to apply to ALL settings. The local park with a couple of swings and a climbing frame is different to a large outdoor play centre with staff. The latter obviously does need more cleaning, the former less so.

Councils that aren't opening up small local parks are a disgrace and should be told as much by the government.

We are in a crowded London borough - ours just have signs on, people were using them before 4th anyway. I think keeping them closed is extremely unfair and short sighted, the specific risk of contracting covid from people using them is much lower than the many risks to children from not getting exercise /play.

Another West Yorkshire bod here ha.. our parks are all open & I highly doubt they are being cleaned. There’s one on my little new build estate that I think is managed by the company who charge us a fortune to maintain the grounds I’m yet to see anyone clean it.. mind you, it never closed either really but not many people have broken the rules.

@Thewheelsonthebus23 there was a long list of measures including signage and floor markings - but they were planning to make the floor markings child friendly, which sounded lovely in theory but it will just add time. They also need to identify which playgrounds first, which second, etc etc. It all sounded like good intentions but time consuming. Just put a bloody sign up and call it a day.

Our local councillor was really helpful with this by the way so I suggest other posters contact theirs. Another local 2 playgrounds have opened because they are different local councils. Just signs up. So it is possible.

It sucks that paid for activities are open and free ones are not
The entrance fee and the money you spend pays for the cleaning and other safety measures. If it’s free you’re not paying towards the cost and councils don’t have the money to fund it themselves.

Some councils are bonkers
Government is bonkers. Councils just have to comply with the rules issued by the government.

How is mine open without any of this then?
Some bigger councils can afford to spend money on safety measures for playgrounds. Some are just taking a risk opening without measures in place and hoping it doesn’t backfire. Many are playing it safe and just saying they can’t follow the ridiculous guidelines.

I'm not sure if ours are open or closed. But I will be taking the kids regardless. I'm sick of them not being allowed anywhere. I've had enough of people making stupid comments when I've taken them with me to the supermarket. These poor children have had precious little to look forwards to for months. This is getting beyond ridiculous.

Surely they should just be able to say that we use the playgrounds at our own risk and recommend hand sanitising before and after?

I’m in Leeds, but not been to any parks yet. I’ve got friends in Wakefield and they’ve been opened. Definitely Anglers and Pugneys.

I’ve been today to my small playground. It was an utter joy. The council have just put up signs and said it is at your own risk. I’m glad they’ve been pragmatic.

Our LA announced on Friday that they wouldn't be opening their playgrounds until later this week whilst they got to grips with cleaning. However, most of the playgrounds are operated by Town councils or Parish Councils and each one is deciding for themselves whether to open or not. What you have to remember is that these councils (town/parish) consists of volunteer councillors and possibly a paid clerk. They have to be guided by the info given to them and in the case of our area, where the county council has chosen not to open parks then it is inevitable that the voluntary councils will follow suit.

Surely they should just be able to say that we use the playgrounds at our own risk and recommend hand sanitising before and after?
Ideally yes. But that’s not what the government guidelines say, and councils have to comply. Supposedly the government is rewriting the guidelines to be more realistic.