Edmonton playgrounds, sports courts to reopen Friday as part of relaunch

The tape around Edmonton playgroundswill come off Friday and some outdoor sports facilitieswill be available for use again, interim city manager Adam Laughlin announced Thursday.

As part of the city's relaunch of the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic, Laughlin said some sports courts, such as basketball and disc golf, may reopen Friday.

The City of Edmonton is phasing in outdoor activity facilities, including skateparks, tennis, pickleball, volleyball courts and athletic tracks, depending on the logistics.

For volleyball and tennis courts it will take more time to install nets and clean surfaces after the spring thaw, Laughlin said.

The city has 850 playgrounds and 450 sports sites, Laughlin said.

Laughlin announced the reopening steps at council's weekly emergency advisory committee meeting.

He cautioned that people using the facilities must follow Alberta Health guidelines on physical distancing.

The city has also released a chart outlining the dos and don'ts for various activities.

They must also bring their own hand sanitizer. He saidmunicipalities and schoolsare not responsible for cleaning playground equipment.

Users are also asked to bring their own sports equipment and stick to the three main rules: maintain two-metre physical distancing, good hygiene and respect the gathering restrictions.

Laughlin said people should use the same guidelines as they've been following at home: play with family members, partners or household mates only.

"No team sports, no team activities," Laughlin said.

Peace officers will be circulating the outdoor fitness areas and engaging people participating in activities.

"If we see non-compliance we will take steps to close, so this is a bit of a monitor-comply system," Laughlin said. "Public health is priority one in this instance."

The latest steps come a week after the province beganStage 1 of its relaunch.

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The Edmonton Valley Zoo will reopen June 15 with measures to help ensure physical distancing, including limiting the number of visitors allowed in to 90 every 30 minutes, Laughlin said.

Outdoor pools and spray parks will remain closed for the 2020 summer season.Paddleboat, canoe and kayakrentals at Rundle Park and Hawrelak Park may resume at some point but are still on hold for now.The funicular will remain closed.

Sports league bookings are still cancelled until at least mid-June. Laughlin noted sports organizations have been in touch with the province about resuming those activities.

The city will start charging for parking again as of June 8 but rates will be reduced where congestion is not an issue, Laughlin said.

Transit tracking

The city continues to assess public transit, including the option of increasing service and reintroducing fares, Laughlin said.

Gord Cebryk, deputy manager of operations, told council that ridership is still down about 65 per cent from normal operations but that's upslightly from the 80 per cent the city reported a couple of weeks ago.

All buses now on the roads have plastic shields to separate drivers from riders.

When service ramps up again, two-thirds of the existing fleet is already equipped with shields, Cebryk noted.

• Edmonton playgrounds to close immediately in response to coronavirus pandemic

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