Parks and outdoor gyms to reopen across Calderdale

The Government advised that playgrounds and outdoor gyms across England could reopen July 4 if councils felt it was safe to do so, while Calderdale Council has issued important guidance to ensure everyone can enjoy the facilities safely, as COVID-19 is still within our communities.

Calderdale Council has considered the practical implications of the national advice and is now confident that it can safely reopen every play area and outdoor gym (over 100 facilities) throughout the borough, provided that people take personal responsibility for using them safely and hygienically.

Coun Susan Press, Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Services and Communities, said: “We’re really pleased to reopen our play areas and outdoor gyms, as we know how much local people have missed them. It was vital to close them to keep everyone safe and reduce the spread of COVID-19.

“We hope people enjoy having another fun way to stay active in Calderdale’s great outdoors.

"But please enjoy our facilities safely and responsibly to protect yourselves and others, as the virus will be present for some time. Stay socially distant, follow good hygiene practices at all times, and stay at home if you or someone you’ve been in contact with has COVID-19 symptoms.

"And, as always, please take your litter home to keep our parks clean and safe.”

Visitors to Calderdale’s playgrounds and outdoor gyms will be reminded by polite notices to keep at least two metres away from people outside their household at all times; to sanitise their hands before and after using the equipment; to ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’ when sneezing or coughing; and to come back later if the site is busy.

To help with social distancing, the Council has temporarily removed some swings / basket swings from its play areas.

As the virus is still within our community, we should all continue to keep at least two metres apart from people outside our households wherever possible.

Social interactions should be limited to a group of no more than two households (indoors and outdoors) or up to six people from different households (if outdoors).

The council is urging the public to wash their hands with soap and water often, for at least 20 seconds – please be extra mindful of this before and after visiting play areas and outdoor gyms, and when going out and about in Calderdale.

Also, it is advising members of the public to take hand sanitiser or wipes out with them for personal use, avoid touching our face, and bag and bin any used tissues.

The Council’s regular safety inspections of all play equipment will continue.

For up-to-date and reliable information about COVID-19, use trusted sources such as:

www.gov.uk/coronavirus www.nhs.uk/coronavirus www.calderdale.gov.uk/coronavirus