NIAGARA COUNTY, N.Y. — It's been a tough few months for parents, as warmer weather has kids excited for the chance to go to the playground again. Playgrounds have been closed for months due to the pandemic.
Niagara County will now be allowing families to return to playgrounds and splash pads in their area, just in time for summer. The county will start with county parks, and will leave other parks and pools up to those localities.
The county will begin by opening one playground in Krull, Oppenheim and West Canal parks on Friday, June 19. The following Friday they'll open the rest of the playground areas.
Splash pads at Krull and Oppenheim are in the works to open by the end of June, according to Niagara County Legislature Chairman Becky Wydysh.
“We know many parents are anxious to see the amenities in county parks open for their children,” said Wydysh. “With the assistance of our Department of Public Health and the efforts of our Public Works Department, we have been working as fast as possible to have everything in place to meet state COVID-19 guidelines."
Niagara County will be giving a briefing at 2pm today. You can watch it live here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmBB3VJfMOI
The risk of catching the virus at playgrounds and splash pads hasn't changed. Rather, the parks are offering up advice and guidelines to reduce your risk as your family goes outside and stays active.
“We want to encourage parents and their children to be active and get outside, but the fact is use of playgrounds, splash pads and pools can increase the risk of contracting COVID-19,” said Public Health Director Daniel J. Stapleton.
“That doesn’t mean you need to stay home, but rather be smart and take the necessary preventive measures if you do go to these places,” Stapleton added.
Additionally, the Niagara County Public Works Commissioner Garret Meal stated that his department has been working on installing signs, creating a cleaning and disinfection plan, but the ability to keep the playgrounds and splash pads opens depends on the people using them.
"The bottom line is we are counting on the public to do the right thing. Nobody wants these amenities closed back down by the state because a few people put others at risk by not following the rules," Meal said.
Stapleton's office had the following advice for families returning to parks and pools:
- Stay 6 feet away from people who don’t live with you, both in and out of the water.
- If you cannot stay six feet from individuals outside of your household of family unit and not in the water, wear a face covering.
- For health and safety concerns, face coverings should not be worn by children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or anyone in the water.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid sharing items with other people (for example goggles, toys, towels, drinks, etc.)
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow, throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands.
- Stay home if you do not feel well, tested positive for COVID-19, or were exposed to someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.