Sacramento-area park playgrounds are now off-limits, to prevent coronavirus spread
Sacramento-area residents can still use county and city parks for outdoor activities, but officials are telling them to stay away from playground equipment as authorities try to slow the spread of coronavirus.
The playground equipment at county and city parks are now off-limits to children and their families. The fear is playgrounds have frequently touched surfaces and could bring children dangerously close to each other, leading to more COVID-19 infections.
Sacramento County Regional Parks has 29 parks in its system, the majority of them have open spaces that provide the safe environment needed for outdoor activities while maintaining safe social distancing of 6 feet between people.
It’s the seven playgrounds in the county parks system that have been cordoned off with caution tape and construction barriers, said Ken Casparis, a county spokesman. Parks officials also have posted signs telling people to keep off the playground equipment.
“Many people use these playgrounds and they have so many high-touch areas that we wouldn’t be able to keep cleaning them and make them safe,” Casparis told The Sacramento Bee. “So, we we just had to close it down.”
He also said the playground equipment could create situations where children could get too close to each other while they’re playing. Restrooms at county parks will remain open during normal park operating hours as much as possible.
Sacramento County has formally ordered residents to remain in their homes except for essential chores. State and local health officials say residents can come out of there homes for certain outdoor activities, such as walking, hiking, jogging or biking, but they have maintain a safe distance to prevent further spread of the coronavirus.
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Sacramento city officials also are worried about children getting too close to each other on playground equipment, so they’re advising people to avoid the playground equipment. Grace Nunez, a city spokeswoman, told The Bee that signs have posted at city parks to help educate people on proper social distancing practices.
City officials have posted some guidelines for park visitors:
▪ Wash hands, carry hand sanitizer, cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing.
▪ Do not use trails if you have symptoms.
▪ Warn other park or trail users of your presence and as you pass to allow proper distance and step off jogging paths or trails to allow others to pass. Signal your presence with your voice, bell or horn.
▪ Restrooms may be closed, so be prepared before you leave for the park.
▪ Bring water or drinks. Public drinking fountains may be disabled and should not be used, even if operable.
▪ Bring a suitable trash bag. Leave no trash. Take everything out to protect park workers.
City and county parks officials say they are following the county’s stay-at-home order and its social distancing requirements to slow the COVID-19 spread. They also reminded park visitors to wash their hands as much as possible.
West Sacramento city officials on Tuesday also advised park visitors to stay off the playground equipment. They informed residents that group sports, picnics, barbecues and other outdoor group gatherings in city parks or other locations are not allowed in accordance with Yolo County’s shelter-in-place order.
Restrooms in parks with playgrounds have been closed, West Sacramento officials said in a post on its website. They urged residents to comply with the county’s order.
This story was originally published March 25, 2020 at 7:10 AM.
