The County Council will start reopening some play areas from Saturday 11th.
Council press release below:
Reopening of playgrounds in eight locations from Saturday 11 July:
- Stanhope West End Playing Field
- Sedgefield Hardwick Park
- Wharton Park in Durham City
- Langley Moor Holiday Park
- Blackhall and Consett Park
- Willington Town Centre Park
- Bishop Auckland Jane Armstrong Park
- Stanley Oakey Park
The parks included within the first phase were chosen as they are popular facilities and, as far as possible, are spread across the county. Some also have staff on site regularly, which will allow the council to monitor any social distancing and hygiene issues that arise and consider issues and feedback when reopening other playgrounds. Unfortunately whilst a very popular location, Riverside Park in Chester-le-Street has not been included as work is required to repair the play surface, which has eroded.
To ensure the first phase of reopening could begin at the weekend, temporary signs are being put up to highlight key social distancing and hygiene guidance. These will be replaced with permanent signs and include the following messages:
- Please do not attend if you or anyone in your household has coronavirus symptoms.
- Please wash your hands before and after you visit the playgrounds.
- Please observe the two-metre distancing guidance.
- Please do not bring food, drink or your own cleaning products into the playgrounds.
- Please avoid entering the park if it looks busy and come back at another time.
- Please take your litter home.
The council’s remaining play parks will open as soon as their risk assessments have been completed and necessary safety measures have been put in place. In the meantime we will be asking residents to avoid the temptation of visiting play parks that remain closed, as the equipment will not have been used for some months and may not be safe.
Full communications including social media and press releases are being issued, and we will provide further updates as more playgrounds reopen.