Play areas and playgrounds in Leeds to begin reopening

Children’s play areas and playgrounds in Leeds will begin to reopen from tomorrow (Thursday).

The reopening programme is being done gradually to ensure they meet the requirements set out in the government guidelines around cleaning and social distancing to allow them to reopen safely. There are more than 200 play areas and outdoor gyms across Leeds with over 2,000 pieces of equipment. It will therefore take time to reopen all of the play areas and playgrounds, and Leeds City Council would like to thank the public for their patience during this time.

The following parks will be reopened on Thursday 23 July:

• The playground at the Arium
• The playground and adventure playground at Lotherton Hall
• The playground at Middleton Park
• The two playgrounds at Roundhay Park along with outdoor gym equipment
• The playground at Temple Newsam

Signage will be installed on the sites to remind users regarding social distancing, hygiene, not eating food or drink and limiting numbers including on relevant pieces of equipment.  If the playground or equipment is busy then people are asked to be patient to enable social distancing. The playgrounds and equipment will not be supervised, and will rely on people acting responsibly.  Please be aware that in some cases it will be necessary for example to remove some swing seats to ensure social distancing is maintained.

The council will continue to monitor government guidance and consideration will be given to reopening further playgrounds once all appropriate work and checks have been carried out. For the time being all other playgrounds and play areas will remain closed, and the public are asked to please refrain from using them.

Leeds City Council executive member for environment and active lifestyles Councillor Mohammed Rafique said:

“I welcome the news that some playgrounds and play areas in the city will begin opening from today.

“I would again like to thank the people of Leeds for their continued patience as we continue to take every step that is required in the light of coronavirus to ensure that the health and wellbeing of those using the facilities are as protected as they possibly can be.

“Some playgrounds and play areas will reopen in some communities later than others, because of the practical implications of national guidance in terms of the day-to-day management of each area and the subsequent additional pressures on our budgets. As a consequence of this the council will be writing to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government requesting that the guidance is reviewed for those who manage a large number of municipal playgrounds that invariably have no site-based staff presence, over a wide geographic distribution.”

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:

Leeds City Council communications and marketing,

Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk

Tel: 0113 378 6007