Both the City of Kingston and Township of South Frontenac have announced that all playgrounds and park amenities are closed until further notice.
The closures are being enacted due to recommendations from KFL&A Public Health, both municipalities’ current state of emergency, and the Province’s announcement on Saturday, March 28 that groupings of more than five persons are now generally prohibited in order to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
“Playgrounds and park amenities encourage group gatherings of more than five people, usage which goes against the physical (social) distancing measures recommended by public health officials,” states a City of Kingston release, echoed in Township’s announcement. “Surfaces in these spaces are not sanitized and represent a risk of community transmission of COVID-19.”
See Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson’s comments about the Province’s five person group limit in the video below:
Amenities and public spaces that are closed for use include:
- Play structures, swings, slides and climbers
- Sports fields and ball diamonds
- Basketball, pickleball and tennis courts
- Off-leash dog parks, including Centennial Park in the Township
- Skateboard parks
- Beaches
- Splash pads
- Park washrooms and buildings
- Benches, picnic tables and shade shelters
Although playgrounds and park amenities are closed, residents can continue to walk, run or jog through open park spaces and along trails, but must maintain physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) from others.
It is also permitted to walk dogs through the parks and on trails while respecting established leashing requirements for that location.
Stay up-to-date with the City’s COVID-19 Precautions page and find answers to frequently asked questions about COVID-19 on the KFL&A Public Health’s site.
