Kansas City shuts dog parks to limit coronavirus. They remain open in Johnson County
Temperate weather has brought crowds to Kansas City’s parks — and with them, more restrictions on one of the few pastimes allowable under the sweeping stay at home orders to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.
The latest in those steps to ensure residents are following social-distancing practices: closing the city’s dog parks.
Mayor Quinton Lucas announced the move Wednesday afternoon. He said the city would also barricade off portions of regular parks to cut down on gatherings of more than 10 people, which violates city orders.
“That is not to be punitive or malicious in any way,” Lucas said. “It’s just because we’ve seen in a number of different areas that there has been significant congregation of folks.”
Casey Reynolds, 43, of Kansas City, had taken his miniature schnauzer to Penn Valley Dog Park on Tuesday and said not everyone was following social-distancing recommendations.
On Wednesday, he tried going back and found the dog park closed.
“Most people seemed to be standing five, six, 10 feet apart and just letting their dogs play,” Reynolds said. “There did seem to be groups of people that were kind of clustered around the picnic tables. ... I remember thinking that’s going to be kind of problematic.”
Lucas and counties across the metro last week issued stay at home orders that essentially shuttered many businesses and ordered residents to remain at home unless they are working at an essential business, getting food or seeking medical care or supplies. Under those orders, parks remained open.
While getting outside and exercising is recommended, city crews have had to take a series of steps to limit the potential for coronavirus spread at parks. They have cordoned off playgrounds and taken away certain equipment, such as tennis nets.
Lucas earlier this week lamented that he saw large groups gathered around basketball courts in Swope Park.
“Most people are certainly doing what they’re allowed to do in the parks. You can be there; you can walk, but you can’t congregate in groups.”
Shuttered dog parks include public ones in Penn Valley and Swope parks, Waggin’ Trails on North Oak Trafficway and the members-only West Terrace Dog Park in Case Park downtown.
Kilah Hoenscheidt, 24, was walking her dog near Case Park on Wednesday and said she understood the need to shutter dog parks.
“I walk my dog anyway,” she said.
Hoenscheidt said she works in a plasma center and thinks residents need to take the COVID-19 pandemic more seriously.
In Johnson County, Richard Smalley, spokesman for the parks and recreation district, said county-operated dog parks remain open and there have so far been no conversations about closing them.
But Smalley said the county did implement additional restrictions last week, as concerns mounted over a lack of social distancing. There were reports of residents continuing to congregate in large groups at several parks.
Last Wednesday, parks staff began leaving pedestrian gates open at four dog parks.
“This move is being made to eliminate the need for users to touch the gates during the coronavirus pandemic,” county officials wrote in a statement. “Patrons should be aware of this change and leash and unleash their dogs further into the park than they normally would.”
The parks include the off-leash areas at Shawnee Mission Park in Shawnee and Lenexa, Heritage Park in Olathe, Thomas S. Stoll Memorial Park in Overland Park, plus the Kill Creek Streamway Park in De Soto. The Leawood Dog Park also remains open.
This story was originally published April 1, 2020 at 4:51 PM.
