Northampton Borough Council’s play areas and outdoor gyms will reopen on 4 July

Northampton Borough Council operate all public play areas in East Hunsbury, which will be reopened for use on Saturday, 4th July. If you intend to use the play equipment in East Hunsbury, please follow the guidance below to limit the risk of spread of coronavirus.

Northampton Borough Council's public play areas and outdoor gyms will be reopening for public use on Saturday, 4 July following recent government guidance.

Our Park Rangers are working closely with our contractors Idverde to ensure that all the necessary prevention and protection measures are in place before the reopening of our play areas and outdoor gym equipment by conducting safety inspections, risk assessments and putting up signs to make sure everyone is informed and knows how to use the equipment safely.

The Council is unable to monitor or clean all play areas on a frequent basis and is asking residents to take responsibility. Therefore, it is worth considering the following safety advice to limit the spread of the coronavirus:

• If possible, wipe down the play equipment with sanitiser wipes before and after use
• Use hand sanitiser gel or wipes before and after playing on the equipment
• Avoid touching your face with your hand
• Keep 2 metres or more away from other people
• Supervise children closely at all times
• Do not overcrowd the play equipment, if the play area looks too busy, please go for a walk and come back when there are fewer people
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue or your arm if a tissue isn't available
• Don't use play equipment if you or if anyone in your household or support bubble has coronavirus or is showing symptoms
• Food or drink on the playground is not allowed
• Use a litter bin to dispose of any litter you produce while in the play area.

Cllr Mike Hallam, Cabinet member for environment, said: "We are carrying out safety checks on all of our equipment along with a risk assessment for each play area ahead of reopening on Saturday.

"We've also produced signage that we'll be installing at each play area encouraging users to use the equipment in a safe way as we will be unable to carry out regular cleaning of this equipment, or to enforce based on the guidance we have provided. This is why it is important that users follow our guidance and use the areas responsibly, so everyone can enjoy them.

" Please take responsibility for your own waste while visiting our parks and play areas and set a good example by clearing up after yourself, taking litter home if public bins are full and reporting instances of littering as they occur to raise awareness, change behaviour and keep our beautiful environment clean."

For the latest Government guidance please go to www.gov.uk