Shropshire Council begins a phased reopening of its play areas

Shropshire Council has started a phased reopening of its play areas across the county.

The council’s top priority during the COVID-19 pandemic has been to protect the health and safety of staff, residents and local communities.

Having initially remained closed, the council is now confident that appropriate safety measures can be put in place to allow play areas to open.

Shropshire Council is responsible for managing 52 play areas across the county.

Play areas managed by Shropshire Council that are now open, are:

Unicorn Park, Oswestry.
Broadlands Way, Oswestry.
Holly Green, Oswestry.
Wilfred Owen Green, Oswestry.
Trefonen Play Area
Doctors Meadow Play Area in Ruyton XI Towns
Arundel Close Play Area in Ruyton XI Towns
Marches Meadow Play Area in Ruyton XI Towns
Newington Way, Craven Arms
Fishmore View, Ludlow
Tollgate Road, Ludlow
Abney Avenue, Albrighton
Bryn Melyn, Llynclys, Oswestry
Dolgoch, Llynclys, Oswestry
Oak Street Muga, Oswestry
Ash Road, Oswestry
Churchfields, St Martin’s
Juniper Close, St Martin’s
Whispering Oaks, West Felton

Play areas will continue to be safely reopened and more information will be provided.

Not all play areas in the county are managed by Shropshire Council. Some are looked after by the local town council or parish council, so visit their respective website if a play area isn’t listed on Shropshire Council’s website.

When play areas are open, please be mindful that coronavirus can survive on hard surfaces. We strongly advise parents and responsible adults to wipe down contact points before use to help reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

Lezley Picton, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for culture, leisure, waste and communications, said:

“Play areas across Shropshire have been closed for nearly four months but, unfortunately, it isn’t as simple as just unlocking them. A lot of work has to be done to ensure they can be opened safely, and mandatory risk assessments have to be completed and approved.

“Now this is done, we are pleased to be able to begin safely opening them again for children and families to enjoy and burn off some energy.

“Although play areas are beginning to reopen, please act responsibly and be mindful that the virus can survive on hard surfaces, so you will be using the equipment at your own risk.

“While services, sites and facilities continue to reopen, coronavirus is still here, so please stay safe and help us to reduce the spread of the virus.”

The play area at Severn Valley Country Park is now open with new safety measures in place. This follows the reopening of play areas at The Mere in Ellesmere and Birchmeadow, which are managed by Shropshire Council’s outdoor partnerships team.

For more information about how to stay safe, visit the coronavirus pages on the Shropshire Council website.

Further information

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