PARENTS and children have plenty to celebrate after the council announced the majority of playgrounds are now open again.

It was a sad sight in March as gates to popular play areas were locked in Brighton and Hove in line with stringent UK lockdown rules.

But more than three months on, with the loosening of government guidelines, Brighton and Hove City Council has now revealed it has reopened 32 of the city’s parks.

A council spokesman said: “Active, outdoor play is an important part of children’s development and health, which is shown in the range of equipment in the city’s 45 playgrounds.

“The largest play areas in Brighton and Hove are at Hove Park, St Ann’s Well Gardens, Preston Park , The Level and Queens Park.

“There are also play areas along the seafront, all with water play, at Hove Lagoon, West Pier and Madeira Drive.

“We manage and maintain the play areas to ensure they are clean and safe to use, while still challenging for those who use them. All playgrounds are inspected on a regular basis.”

The following playgrounds reopened yesterday:

  • Bexhill Road, Woodingdean
  • Carden Park, Patcham
  • East Brighton Park
  • Farm Green, Bevendean
  • Haig Avenue, Coldean
  • Hodshrove, Moulsecoomb
  • Hollingdean Park
  • Hove Lagoon
  • Hove Park
  • Kingswood Flats, Brighton
  • Knoll Park, Hangleton
  • Manor Road
  • Newhaven Street, Brighton
  • Ovingdean Parc
  • Preston Park
  • Queen’s Park
  • Rottingdean
  • Saltdean Oval
  • Saunders Park on the A270 Lewes Road, Brighton
  • St Ann’s Well Gardens
  • St Nicholas, Dyke Road, Brighton
  • Stanmer Heights, near Hollingbury
  • Stoneham Rec, Hove
  • The Level
  • The Vale Avenue
  • Whitehawk Junior
  • Whitehawk Way
  • William Clarke Park, Hanover
  • Woollards Field, Stanmer

The city council said the safety of children “is a priority” and officials have “ carried out safety checks on every park and every piece of equipment”.

Several parks are yet to reopen as, on inspection, they were found to need repairs.

These were:

  • Aldrington Rec, Hove
  • Blakers Park, Preston Drove, Brighton
  • Downland Court, Portslade
  • Dyke Road, Hove
  • Easthill Park, Portslade
  • Greenleas Recreation Park, Hangleton
  • Hangleton Park
  • Happy Valley, Saltdean 
  • Hollingbury Park Playground
  • Mackie Avenue, Patcham
  • Mile Oak, Portslade
  • Tarner Park, Sussex Street, Brighton
  • Victoria Recreation Ground, Portslade
  • Warrior Close, Portslade
  • Whitehawk Senior
  • Wolsley Road, Coldean
  • Woodingdean Central

The Barn Rise playground is yet to be inspected.

The latest government advice, which came into effect on Saturday, allows playgrounds to be reopened.

It states: “Outdoor sports courts are allowed to be open if those responsible for them can open them safely.

“This includes basketball and tennis courts, playing spaces like golf courses (public and private) and playing fields and water sports.

“Outdoor gyms and playgrounds can open from July 4.

“However outdoor and indoor swimming pools will remain closed.

“Each venue, including council-owned sports facilities, should make their own decisions about when their facilities are ready.”