Published: 02/07/2020
COPELAND Council is encouraging the safe, responsible and considerate use of its children’s play areas when they reopen this weekend.
In line with Government guidance, 14 of the council’s play areas will reopen to the public on Saturday, and a range of measures and requests have been introduced.
The council has installed social distancing signage, and where appropriate stencilling, to encourage users to keep a safe distance apart and to respect others by queuing and managing use responsibly. Covid-19 risk assessments have been completed on each of parks, and weekly inspections of the equipment have continued throughout the closure, and will remain in place.
The council is encouraging parents, guardians and carers to supervise their children using the facilities at all times, and to clean children’s hands before and after use. Parents, guardians and carers are also encouraged to wipe down play equipment before use. The council adds that food or drink should not be consumed in the play areas, and all litter should be disposed of appropriately.
Mike Starkie, Mayor of Copeland, said: “We know that the reopening of play areas will be much welcomed by children and families, and it is another step towards a return to normal life.
“However, we cannot be complacent and all users of the facilities must act responsibly whilst enjoying our play areas at a safe distance from one another.
“We would also appreciate the support of parents, guardians and carers in supervising their children at all times, and also helping promote good hygiene by wiping down the equipment – particularly at key touch points.
“The council will continue to regularly inspect and maintain our play areas but it is not possible for our staff to monitor and clean equipment at all of our play areas all day, so we are asking our residents to work with us to make the areas as safe as possible.”
Play areas owned by Copeland Council that will reopen on Saturday are: Castle Park, High Street, Jericho (Whitehaven); Rosebank (Hensingham); Welfare Field (Kells); Parkland (Moresby); East Road (Lowca); Barfs Road (Distington); Jacktrees Road (Cleator Moor); Church Street (Moor Row); Orgill, Ling Road, Brisco Mount, Beck Green (Egremont).
One play area owned by the council will not reopen on Saturday. Newlands play area at Seathwaite, Whitehaven, will remain closed due to the condition of the limited remaining play equipment, but community-led proposals to upgrade this facility are currently in development.
