The Hartlepool play areas, car parks and toilets reopening

Play areas, park toilets and car parks at a number of locations across Hartlepool are to reopen in a further easing of lockdown restrictions.

From Friday July 3, car parks at Rossmere Park, near to the new play area, Ward Jackson Park, at the woodland site, and Seaton Park will be back in use.

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Meanwhile from Saturday July 4, play areas at Seaton Front, Rossmere Park, Ward Jackson Park, Clavering and King George V Recreation Ground will be reopening.

Public toilets at Rossmere Park and Ward Jackson Park will also reopen on Saturday.

People are being urged to use the facilities safely and to treat them with respect at all times.

It comes as council officials warn they will be immediately closed again should people fail to follow social distancing rules, or if any vandalism or anti-social behaviour occurs, as has been the case in the past.

Sarah Scarr, Hartlepool Borough Council’s heritage and countryside manager, said: “We would like to thank people for their patience and understanding whilst these facilities have been closed on public safety grounds as a result of the pandemic.

“We are pleased that we are now in a position to re-open them, but it remains vital that people use them safely to prevent the spread of Covid-19.

“There will be signs setting out rules for the safe usage of the play areas and we would ask that people observe these at all times.”

The areas had previously been closed since the end of March due to the coronavirus outbreak.

People are asked to use the toilet facilities at Rossmere Park and Ward Jackson Park one at a time and to maintain good personal hygiene by using the soap and sanitiser gel dispensers provided within.

Hartlepool’s parks were all closed completely in March, though the parkland areas themselves were soon reopened, with facilities remaining shut.

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