All 200 Leeds playgrounds 'to stay shut and should not be used'

The authority had put out a statement last week claiming six of its children’s play areas would reopen, amid recent relaxing of the Covid-19 lockdown rules.

However, the council has since claimed the statement has been withdrawn, and that further checks and cleaning had to take place on outdoor gyms and playground facilities before they could once again be used.

Correspondence from Leeds City Council said: “Currently all of our playgrounds and outdoor gyms remain closed, and should not be used.

“Legal opinion is quite clear that to open our playgrounds without individual risk assessments and control measures regarding social distancing and an enhanced cleaning regime is not acceptable under the government guidance.”

The authority claimed it was ‘working hard’ to carry out the risk assessments to meet government guidelines but, as this included more that 2,000 pieces of equipment, it was not currently possible to open them safely.

It added: “We hope to be able to open some playgrounds shortly, but our focus has to be on the safety of children and families using them.”

The council had originally claimed that from July 16, it would begin to reopen sites including the playground at the Arium, two at Roundhay Park and the playground at Temple Newsam.

But, following the publishing of the new government guidance, the authority took the decision not to open the sites.

According to the new guidance, all owners of play areas and outdoor gyms need to carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment on each facility.

It added that users should be able to safely observe one metre-plus social distancing rules and, if possible, introduce a maximum number of users, or even a booking system. Regular cleaning should also take place on equipment, according to the guidance.