THE re-opening of Warrington’s playgrounds, outdoor gyms and ball courts has been started by the borough council.
The council is currently finalising arrangements and will start a rolling programme to open major playgrounds next week including Victoria Park, Bewsey Park and Bank Park.
The playground at Walton Hall Gardens opened to the public today, Thursday 9 July. The remaining playgrounds, outdoor gyms, skate parks and ball courts will then be opened later on this month.
Playgrounds will be subject to a safety inspection prior to opening to ensure they meet national guidance. Where a site or a piece of equipment is not safe it will be isolated, removed, closed or taped off. If equipment was removed at the start of lockdown eg swings, they will be re-instated to incorporate social distancing measures.
Any play equipment removed due to fire damage / arson will not be re-instated at this time.
Users are asked to ensure
•social distancing, that may mean not using adjacent equipment if you are from a different household or bubble;
•you and family members stay at home if you are unwell;
•you wash your hands before you visit and when you get home;
•you bring your own sanitiser (the equipment will not be sanitised);
•you take your litter home.
Cllr Tony Higgins, Cabinet Member, Leisure and Community said: “Playgrounds, outdoor gyms and ball courts are an important part of our community and we are working hard to reopen them as soon as possible however safety is paramount. We are taking a phased approach to their reopening to ensure that this can do done as safely as possible.
“Visitors to our playgrounds will see new signage and we are asking everyone to observe it to protect everyone’s health and wellbeing.”
