Play areas opening up in Exeter

Published: 21 July 2020

Play areas in Exeter are starting to reopen, many of them with improved equipment.

Monday saw 16 of Exeter’s 71 play areas opened up again to the public following the Coronavirus outbreak. The other play areas will open up over the next few days and people are being asked to look out for announcements on social media.

The play areas that are already open are:

• Topsham Rec (including outdoor gym)
• Topsham Pleasure Ground            
• Belmont Pleasure Ground (including outdoor gym)                          
• Cowick Barton Playing Fields (including outdoor gym)                           
• Heavitree Pleasure Ground                         
• Kings Heath                                                     
• King George V Inclusive   
• King George V
• Arena Park                                                      
• Bull Meadow    
• Bury Meadow
• Pinhoe Station Road                                       
• Wonford Wild                                                  

The City Council took advantage of the long closure during ‘lockdown’ to carry out improvements to five play areas in the city, including King George V Playing Fields, St Thomas Pleasure Ground and Cowick Barton Playing Fields.

With certain restrictions being lifted by the government, the Council has put in place a rigorous cleaning regime to ensure play areas in Exeter remain safe for those that use them.

However there will be restrictions on the number of people in each play area at one time and users, parents and guardians are expected to use their own hand sanitizer before and after use.

The Council is encouraging people to enjoy the play areas but also to respect them, keep them tidy, be patient if waiting to enter and keep observing social distancing guidelines where possible.