While parks in Santa Fe are still open, children can no longer play on playgrounds.
“We are looking at strategies to keep our friends, family and neighbors safe. While we have been aggressively disinfecting, it’s best we close these high touch areas,” Parks and Recreation Director John Muñoz said during an interview conducted via text messaging.
And it’s not just playground equipment that are now off limits. The city is also suspending the use of skate bowls and basketball courts indefinitely.
Tennis players, however, can still get in their exercise.
“But it is important not to group near or outside the courts,” Muñoz said. “The policy is to keep 6 feet or 2 meters apart. This holds true for other areas of the park or in our open trails. We just want everyone to be safe.”
Muñoz said the city was monitoring all parks amenities to assess what risk they pose. Tennis courts are a part of that, but, “For now tennis courts are open,” he wrote.
The city later issued a news release announcing the policy change and reiterates the mandate from the governor’s office about social distancing and limiting gatherings to no more than five people.
One Santa Fe park is closed. The Municipal Recreation Complex, which includes several soccer and rugby fields, a half dozen softball fields and a BMX track, has been sidelined until further notice. So has the Marty Sanchez Links de Santa Fe golf course.
“The City is following best practices and will adapt and modify its policies as necessary,” according to the news release.
