Caution urged as play areas are reopened
Chloe the caterpillar is helping to lift spirits during Covid crisis ADVICE ON USE OF PLAY AREAS AND SKATE PARKS
A CREATIVE project started by two neighbours has been lifting spirits and keeping children and adults entertained during lockdown.
Kirsty Bush and Donna Holmes wanted their community to feel connected despite the coronavirus crisis.
So in the depths of Choppington Woods, in Northumberland, they decided to create a caterpillar made out of painted pebbles to line the pavement and invite the community to contribute.
Kirsty said: “This project has been a lovely way to bring colour to the woods and get members of the community involved in something together, at a time when we’ve had to stay apart.
“We’ve had so much positive feedback from people and we love seeing everyone’s creations as they add to the trail.”
The caterpillar, known in the community as Chloe, was started on June 11 and can be found by
PARENTS are being urged to take precautions and respect social distancing rules as playgrounds across North Tyneside reopen to children.
Youngsters are now allowed to visit outdoor play areas again after the Government eased lockdown restrictions.
Ministers said the sites should only open if they are safe. A number of local authorities have not reopened playgrounds as yet and are following the handmade posters in Choppington Woods, near The Travellers Rest pub.
It has already reached over 300 pebbles in length and has even hosted a children’s birthday party for Donna’s son Harry, who still working through safety guidelines.
However, North Tyneside Council has confirmed that all its 56 play areas and seven skate parks are open to visitors. But families are urged to follow new rules to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Signs have been put up outside play parks saying: “Use of these facilities is at your own risk. This facility is not supervised and is not celebrated his sixth birthday in lockdown.
But Chloe the caterpillar has helped many people in the community, including Naomi Thompson who has been designing Disney characters to add to the being routinely cleaned. Some pieces of equipment may be closed or the site capacity reduced for users’ safety.”
There will be a limit on the number of people who can use a playground at any one time and the signs will display the maximum number of users.
It is also recommended that people bring their own hand-sanitiser and use it before, during and after trail with her partner Davey Harrison.
Using larger stones, the couple have recreated scenes and characters from films including The Lion King, Toy Story, Frozen and Aladdin. And Naomi explains leaving the play areas. And it is suggested that only one adult accompanies a child to a ground.
Phil Scott, the council’s head of environment, housing and leisure, said: “The health and safety of our residents is always our main concern.
“In line with Government guidance, and following our own risk assessments, all play sites and skate parks in the borough have now reopened. Advisory signage has been erected at each location highlighting key social distancing and hygiene guidance. This also includes a revised limit on the number of people in the site at any one time.
“With 56 play sites and seven skate parks across the borough, it is impossible to supervise every play site, so we must ask the public to please observe the signage and take every precaution, including sanitising hands, limiting the amount of time spent at the location and respecting the social distancing guidelines. We will be monitoring the situation and we will review our plans where appropriate. As always, we would like to thank residents for their cooperation and understanding.”