SOME children in Wrexham and Flintshire may have to wait a little longer before their local playground reopens, councils confirm.

The next stage in the Welsh Government’s latest three-week roadmap to bringing Wales out of lockdown includes the allowance for playgrounds to reopen across the country as early as July 20.

Along with many other councils across Wales, Flintshire Council made the decision to shut enclosed children’s play areas and country parks for which it is responsible from March 23 until further notice in the interests of public health.

Wrexham Council made its announcement to close its council-owned facilities the same day.

The measure of gradually re-opening playgrounds and community centres from July 20 will help local authorities provide summer holiday play schemes and childcare, a Welsh Government spokesman has said previously.

Wrexham Council have announced that they intend to reopen children’s play areas and outdoor gym facilities on Friday, July 24, with appropriate signage in place.

Darren Williams, WCBC’s chief officer for environment and technical, said: “In order to reopen Council owned play areas, MUGA’s (multi use games areas) and football pitches safely we are currently undertaking risk assessments for each individual facility and looking at what signage needs to be in place.

“It is important we re-open these facilities safely and we hope to be able to do as soon as we can and are allowed to do so – although there may be delays if the risk assessment identifies that further safety measures will need to be put in place before a facility opens.”

Flintshire Council state that all their play areas should be reopen to the public on Saturday, July 25.

A council spokesman said: “Flintshire County Council and Aura Wales welcome the Welsh Government’s announcement that play areas can reopen from Monday, July 20.

“Aura has been maintaining routine visual safety checks of all outdoor play areas, MUGAs (Multi-Use Games Areas) and wheeled play facilities during the lockdown. Servicing, repairs and cleansing has also taken place to ensure the play areas are safe and ready for children to return.

The erection of safety signs and scheduled grass cutting will begin during the week commencing Monday, July 20, and play area re-openings will be phased with an aim that all play areas will be open by Saturday, July 25.

“These are open play areas and it will be the personal responsibility of users to maintain all appropriate hygiene standards and physical distancing requirements.”

Speaking at Friday’s press conference, on July 17, First Minister Mark Drakeford responded to the Leader's questions about the decision to allow playgrounds to gradually reopen across Wales almost four months on from their closure – and what risks that come with it.

He says it will ultimately be a responsibility of parents to ensure they supervise children properly and that all new safety measures are maintained when using play facilities.

The minister said: “Playgrounds are being reopened and as we always say, it is an invitation not an instruction. There will be people who are nervous and who think it is not right for them and, of course, can make the choice not to use them.

“Where parents do, I’m glad they will find them open and I’m sure they will be careful and attentive in the way they use those opportunities.”