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City of Nanaimo Reopening Playgrounds

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed June 2, 2020 3:02 PM

Summary

After consulting with the Province, Dr. Bonnie Henry, BC's Provincial Health Officer, and Island Health, the City has been given the go-ahead to open playgrounds starting on Wednesday, June 3.

Numerous outdoor amenities were closed on March 16, 2020 to help limit the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). On May 14, the City of Nanaimo followed guidelines for Phase 2 from the BC Restart Plan by opening pickleball courts, tennis courts, gated off-leash dogs park and the bike parks.

Guideline signage for playgrounds will be posted at each location to help residents understand how to remain safe and healthy during this pandemic while visiting these areas.

These guidelines remind residents to:

  • Adhere to physical distancing guidelines from anybody outside their household (2 metres or 6 feet)
  • Wash their hands properly before coming to the park and after leaving
  • Bring hand sanitizer or antiseptic wipes
  • Avoid the area if sick or if they have been exposed to someone who has been sick or if a child is immunocompromised
  • Consider visiting playgrounds at less busy times
  • Not share equipment, toys, food, water bottles or other personal items
  • Not congregate in groups larger than 50

Indoor recreation facilities, such as recreation centres, arenas and pools, as well as City-owned cultural venues remain closed while City staff review and work on a reopening strategy from "Guidelines for Restarting Operations". This document was put together by the recreation and parks sector and was sent out last week to stakeholders throughout the province. Announcements of facility reopenings and registered program availability will be released once a strategy, based on the restart guidelines, are in place to ensure the health and safety of patrons and staff.

Link to Strategic Plan: The City of Nanaimo is committed to the safety and well-being of its residents.

Key Points

  • Playgrounds have been closed since March 16 and will start to reopen on Wednesday, June 3.
  • City of Nanaimo indoor recreation facilities and City-owned cultural venues remain closed at this time, but a reopening strategy is being worked on by City staff based on the "Guideline for Restarting Operations" document that was released to the parks and recreation sector last week.

Quotes

"With the warmer weather and longer days it is nice to be able to open the playgrounds for the children of our community. We are asking visitors to follow the guidelines posted so that we all do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19."

Art Groot
Director, Facility ＆ Parks Operations
City of Nanaimo

Quick Facts

  • Maffeo Sutton Playground is being retrofitted and will open at a later date.

Images

Signage at Playgrounds
Signage at Playgrounds
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Contact:

Art Groot
Director, Facility ＆ Parks Operations
City of Nanaimo
250-755-7542

Print News Release

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