RALEIGH, N.C. — Wake County officials on Sunday announced the
closure of both public and private playgrounds to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The closures went into effect at 8 a.m., Monday, March 23. The new restrictions will last until April 30. Private playgrounds include those owned by homeowners associations. Backyard playgrounds are not included in the closures.
Trails and open spaces remain open, but officials recommended that park goers be cautious and maintain distance from others as they get outside.
Sunday's announcement was among the latest from local officials to shut down parks and cancel recreational programs. Here are details about park closures from municipalities across the Triangle, according to their websites.
Raleigh Park Closures
Raleigh Parks playgrounds and park restrooms will be closed until further notice starting Monday, March 23, the city announced.
The latest announcement comes after an earlier one that shut down all facilities, including boating at Lake Wheeler and Lake Johnson, and the cancellation of all programs, special events, volunteer events, and facility rentals. No new rentals will be booked prior to May 1, 2020. All parks and greenways remain open to the public.
"Parks and open space provide necessary respite, especially during challenging times. Park open space and greenways will remain open to visitors,"
the city's website says. "We invite you to breathe in the fresh air and enjoy nature, but please remember to follow social distancing guidelines and remain more than 6 feet from others."
Durham Park Closures
Effective Monday, March 23, playgrounds and park restrooms are closed until further notice. Parks, trails, and greenways will remain open.
"As you recreate in Durham's parks and trails, model social distancing by maintaining a safe distance (at least 6 feet) between you and other users,"
according to Durham's website. "Group activities, i.e. basketball games, etc. are strongly discouraged.*
Beginning at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, all recreation centers and pools will close to the public. The city has canceled and/or suspended all instructional and drop-in programs, leagues, activities, and events until further notice. Staff will be in contact with registered participants to discuss options for refunds and/or rescheduling. Please note, due to the recent malware attack on the City, this may take some time as most staff still do not have access to computers and/or facility phones. Durham's Earth Day Festival (April 19) and Durham Senior Games (April 13-30) are also both canceled.
City Lakes will remain closed until further notice. All rentals will be canceled or postponed until further notice. Staff will contact and work with those who have a rental scheduled during this time to either refund or reschedule.
Chapel Hill Park Closures
Parks and Recreation facilities, including parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, tennis and pickleball courts, and all indoor facilities are closed,
according to the town. All programs are canceled until further notice.
Cary Park Closures
In support of Wake County’s announcement of new restrictions designed to slow the spread of COVID-19, the Town of Cary will close playgrounds effective Monday, March 23 at 8 a.m. until further notice. The closure will not restrict the public’s access to greenways, parks, and bathrooms within parks. The county’s move is designed to promote social distancing, a community-based intervention to increase the amount of physical space between people to avoid spreading illness. Maintaining six feet of space between each other when in public is an example of social distancing.
Garner Park Closures
All upcoming town events have been canceled, including Eggstravaganza, April Foods Day Food Truck Rodeo, The Wall That Heals at Lake Benson Park, the March 24 Pop-Up Town Hall and all performances at the Garner Performing Arts Center (GPAC), according to
Garner's website. All of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources' adult, youth and preschool athletic leagues; open gym; and youth programs have been postponed and will be re-evaluated after April 15. After-school programs are canceled for at least as long as Wake County Public Schools remain closed. All facility and shelter rentals are canceled. This includes the remaining small event rentals at White Deer Park Nature Center and at any Town parks. The Lake Benson Boathouse has been closed indefinitely. Use of playground equipment in Town parks and other public parks in Wake County will be prohibited starting 8 a.m. Monday, March 23 until at least April 30.
Wake Forest Park Closures
Beginning Monday, March 23, all
Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources parks, playgrounds, restrooms and athletics fields are closed until further notice. All town-maintained picnic shelters, basketball, pickleball and tennis courts are also closed until further notice. The town had already closed other park facilities and canceled programs, special events and facility rentals.
