The closure takes effect at 8 a.m. March 28 but does not affect the open spaces, trails and restrooms.
“This was not an easy decision,” Mayor Jenn Daniels wrote in a post to her Facebook page. “We know how important these amenities are to our residents. With more testing, more cases, more needs for town resources (i.e. cleaning supplies) and the difficulties of maintaining the CDC recommended 6 ft. distance on a play structure/skate park/basketball game—we made this judgement call. Thank you in advance for your understanding during this unprecedented time.”
The list of what will be closed includes:
- playgrounds
- Freestone Skate Park
- fenced dog areas at Crossroads and Cosmo parks
- splash pads
- basketball courts
- volleyball courts
- all of Gilbert Regional Park
- drinking fountains
The parks’ trails, walking paths, restrooms and open spaces will be open from 5:30 a.m.-10 p.m. with physical distancing still urged.
Daniels had acknowledged in two previous video updates that she was receiving many emails from people wondering why the parks were not closed with so many people not practicing physical distancing there. Daniels said it was the No. 1 concern people had brought to her.