UPDATED Mar 24th: As an additional measure, to limit numbers and discourage congregating, the City of Seattle will close parking lots at eight parks and beaches, including GasWorks. All of the beaches and parks will remain open, for walking or general exercise, but are closed to gatherings of any size.
Following COVID-19 social distancing guidelines established by Seattle & King County Public Health Department and the Washington Department of Health, King County Parks and the Seattle Department of Parks & Recreation are closing all playgrounds and other active recreation areas where it could be tempting to break those guidelines.
The playground at GasWorks Park, as well as Ross Playground and the B.F. Day Elementary Playground, will be closed during the COVID-19 quarantining period. However, public ballfields and playfields are open for walking and other non-team activities. “We know that parks and open space provide a critical support to our communities during this difficult time,” said Jesus Aguirre, Seattle Parks & Recreation Superintendent, “ and we want to provide these opportunities to find respite and relief in nature, but we need to be able to do so in a way that does not work against our efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.”
“City and County employees will be reiterating this guidance to individuals who are not practicing social distancing,” Aguirre said. City staff will be out reminding people to stay off play equipment, to refrain from pick-up games, picnics, parties, BBQs, or other gatherings. Team activities are discouraged, or any other active recreation interactions.
Meanwhile, parks, natural lands, regional trails, and beaches, where social distancing can be maintained, will remain open. Restrooms within parks will also continue to be open-to-the-public, and will be cleaned and sanitized frequently.
“With schools closed and people adapting to new work habits, our parks and open spaces can provide an important break in these stressful times.,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine, “It is clear, however, that we must continue to be vigilant in these places as well, and make sure all our residents put into practice Public Health directives.”
The National Recreation and Park Association has noted a number of specific recommendations for practicing safe, social distancing when in parks and on trails. These include:
- Follow the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) guidance on personal hygiene – wash hands, carry hand sanitizer, do not visit public spaces if you have symptoms, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, etc.
- Observe, at all times, the CDC’s minimum recommended social distancing of six feet from other people, even as you walk, bike, or hike
- Bring a suitable trash bag, to leave no trash and take everything out so as to protect park workers
Fremont has some fantastic public spaces – GasWorks Park, Fremont Canal Park, the B.F. Day Upper Playfields, Fremont Peak Park, Ross Playground, Lower Woodland, the Troll’s Knoll, the A.B. Ernst (Slippery Slope) Park, and the unofficial Wetland Trail Park – and in the interests of our mental health, as well as a way to enjoy a spring gone strange with the COVID-19 pandemic, it is good to get out and enjoy these open spaces. Please, enjoy these natural settings with good sense and care for all our neighbors!