Some municipalities across Vancouver Island are reopening their playgrounds and parks.
The City of Nanaimo and the Regional District of Nanaimo have announced plans to reopen their playgrounds on June 3.
Both the city and the regional district say guideline signage for playgrounds will be posted at each location to help residents understand how to remain safe and healthy during this pandemic while visiting these areas.
Meanwhile, the Municipality of North Cowichan said in a release that it has slowly begun reopening its playgrounds, parks and other facilities such as washrooms, seasonal portables, and skate parks.
North Cowichan is also rolling out what they’re calling a Park Ambassador Pilot Program later this month. This new program will be made up of North Cowichan staff who will be out at the municipality’s busiest parks, beaches and trails, informing the public about physical distancing requirements and other health measures.
Playground equipment and other facilities will not be undergoing extra cleaning, according to the municipality’s release which notes that users should continue to “exercise caution and good judgement” when visiting playgrounds and other municipal-owned facilities.
The move is being done in coordination with the Cowichan Valley Regional District and School District 79.
“I am pleased to have a coordinated approach to reopening parks across the Cowichan Valley,” said North Cowichan Mayor Al Siebring in a press release.
“The launch of the Park Ambassador program will help ensure this re-opening happens safely. Where it is possible to do so, our recreation staff will be able to demonstrate proper physical distancing to patrons, and help address any issues or unsafe behaviours at our parks, beaches and trails,” Siebring added.
Many Island municipalities had shutdown their playgrounds in mid-March as part of precautionary measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
RELATED: Island municipalities close playgrounds, parks amid COVID-19 pandemic
CHEK News
