Park Athletic Fields, Sports Facilities, Parking Lots and City Buildings to Open Following COVID-19 Guidelines
June 18, 2020
Mayor Jorge O. Elorza today announced updates to the latest executive order opening City athletic fields, sports facilities, and park parking lots for Friday, June 19. City buildings will open Monday, June 22, offering limited in-person city services following recommended sanitation and social distancing guidelines.
“As we continue to progress through Phase II, we are working to reopen facilities and offer in-person services while keeping our residents and staff safe,” said Mayor Jorge Elorza. “The local resources and online services we have offered since the start of our response will continue to be accessible. I ask that residents and businesses continue using online services whenever possible and follow social distancing and hygiene guidelines to ensure the health of our community.”
This executive order outlines the below updates to restrictions and guidelines within the City of Providence:
- All outdoor athletic fields, courts, and sports facilities may be utilized by the public for general, non-organized recreation following social distancing and hygiene guidelines.*
- All outdoor athletic fields, courts, and other sports facilities (basketball, tennis, baseball, football, soccer, skate parks, etc.) will be open and available for organized youth and adult sports activities with restrictions and a permit.** Activities must be limited to no-contact drills and training exercises. User activities should be consistent with social distancing and current group size guidelines, in accordance with RIDEM Phase II: Youth sports guidelines, and as established below:
- Users should sanitize hands before and after play and not share equipment.
- Users waiting to utilize a section or area of the field should wait outside the field of play until previous users have vacated to ensure proper social distancing.
- Participants should be separated into groups of no more than 15, including coaches and staff.
- Inter-team games, scrimmages, and tournaments shall not be permitted for any organized sports activities.
- Games are permitted during Phase II only for no-contact sports where ordinary play allows for social distancing (e.g., tennis and other racquet sports), but inter-team games or tournaments are not allowed.
- Park parking lots will be open at full capacity, except for the Merino Park parking lot due to recent renovation.
- Playgrounds, pools, and water parks remain closed at this time.
* All bathrooms and concession stands will remain closed.
**Permitting for the use of athletic fields requires submitting a formal letter of request with start and end dates, time frame each day, contact person, copy of liability insurance, and a check for permit fees. Information can be found online.
Additionally, city buildings will open to the public on Monday, June 22 in a limited capacity and subject to COVID-19 related guidelines.*** In-person city services will be available Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 8:30AM to 4:30PM, with the exception of the Department of Public Works providing counter service from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM on operational days. City buildings will be closed on Wednesdays for cleaning. On operational days, each department will be staffed at half capacity to comply with social distancing guidelines.
*** The following buildings will continue to be closed for staff access only: The Museum of Natural History, The Botanical Center, Roger Williams Park Casino, Roger Williams Park Boat House, BankNewport City Center and Providence Rink, netWORKri Career Center, Recreation Main Office, all Recreation Centers, all Providence Public Schools
Upon arrival to city buildings, all staff and visitors will be asked screening questions and have their temperature taken before entering the building. Face masks will be required at all times and hand sanitizer will be available throughout the building. Social distancing measures such as traffic flow indicators, plexiglass barriers, and capacity limitations have been put in place, and separate entrances and exits have been identified at each building, as informed by recommended best practices. Residents should continue to use remote and online city services as much as possible to limit exposure when possible.
All other COVID-19 related health and safety guidelines included in the latest executive order remain in place, effective through July 31. Residents are urged to follow all current social distancing and hygiene practices.
Local resources are available as defined on the City’s website. For more information on COVID-19 and best practices you can share, residents can visit this website, call to connect to the Mayor’s Center for City Services by dialing 3-1-1, visit www.PVD311.com or download the PVD311 mobile app on your smartphone for 24/7 access. Residents can register to receive CodeRED emergency notifications by phone, email, text, and/or mobile alerts for the latest updates from the City. The Rhode Island Department of Health’s COVID-19 Assistance Line can be reached by dialing 401-222-8022 Monday through Friday during regular business hours should residents have additional questions.