San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson has ordered that parks remain closed until further notice due to concerns with social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic.
In addition, the mayor has also issued a new public health advisory encouraging residents to wear masks in public.
The mayor’s order to maintain parks closed became effective as of April 21, according to a release from the city.
The new public health advisory builds on the one issued April 1 by the mayor, and it follows the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
Other than encouraging residents to wear masks in public, the new advisory tells residents to practice social distancing, to stay home if they are sick, to limit contact in public and with public surfaces, leave home only when necessary and to wash their hands after touching surfaces that others have touched.
The city has closed all riverfront parks, including Rio Vista, City Park, Plaza Park, Veramendi, Bicentennial, Children’s Park, Crook Park, Veterans Memorial Park, Dog Beach, Capes Park, Thompson’s Island, Stokes Park, Ramon Lucio Park and Wildlife Annex/Wilderness Park.
Public restrooms and water fountains will also remain closed until further notice, along with all neighborhood park playscapes, the children’s park playscape, city park playscape, the dog park and skate park.
Natural areas will remain open, but residents must practice social distancing of at least 6 feet, and groups of more than five people are prohibited. The natural areas that remain open include Blanco Shoals Natural Area, Prospect Park Natural Area, Purgatory Creek Natural Area, Ring Tail Ridge Natural Area, Schulle Canyon Natural Area, Sessom Creek Natural Area and Spring Lake Natural Area.
Those who violate park closures will be penalized with a fine of up to $1,000 and possible arrest on charges for trespassing if the individual refuses to leave after being warned to do so.
