Kansas City, Kansas, playgrounds are reopened, but officials urge social distancing
Publicly-owned park playgrounds in Kansas City, Kansas, reopened over Memorial Day weekend.
Playground equipment reopened on May 23 and crews began reopening playgrounds over the holiday weekend, according to a news release Thursday from the Unified Government of Wyandotte County.
Deputy Parks and Recreation director Angel Obert called it a “sign of hope and positive progress.”
Wyandotte County has recorded 1,308 coronavirus cases and 73 deaths. Thirty-six of those deaths and 132 cases were associated with an outbreak at the Riverbend Post-Acute Rehabilitation Facility.
The playgrounds were closed on March 21 “out of an abundance of caution,” the county said. The decision to reopen came after the parks and recreation department consulted with the Unified Government’s Public Health Department.
“During this time of uncertainty, our parks are needed now more than ever,” Obert said in the news release, “so that families and individuals can get outside for fresh air, sunshine, and exercise – which is a great way to cope with the stress caused by the past few weeks of restrictions.”
The reopening guidelines are based on Centers for Disease Control and Kansas Recreation and Parks Association guidelines, as well as the guidelines issued by Gov. Laura Kelly, according to the news release.
Visitors are still encouraged to maintain social distancing, avoid touching their faces and to use hand sanitizer before and after using equipment. Hand sanitizer is not provided at facilities, but when park restrooms are available, those can be used to wash hands.
Children over 2 years old and supervising adults should wear masks in public.
