Bellingham disinfecting and keeping park playgrounds open during coronavirus pandemic
While park playgrounds in Ferndale have been closed in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic, Bellingham Parks and Recreation has kept its open, while increasing disinfecting playground equipment and attempting to educate about proper social distancing to keep them open.
Bellingham Interim Parks Director Nicole Oliver told The Bellingham Herald that the parks department’s 32 playgrounds remain open as of Friday, March 20, though the parks department is constantly monitoring the situation.
“It’s a topic we’ve been actively engaged in and trying to figure out,” Oliver told The Herald. “We spoke to other parks departments and the National Recreation and Parks Association about what to do.”
After those discussions, Oliver said Bellingham came down on the side of keeping its playgrounds open while trying to educate park users about proper social distancing and trail-use etiquette.
To that end, she said the department had 80 signs made that should soon be posted at parks and trails, encouraging:
▪ Not using parks or trails if you are feeling ill.
▪ Washing your hands regularly.
▪ Sharing the trail and warning other trail users when you’re near.
▪ Observing the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s social distancing guideline of 6 feet at all times.
▪ Keeping pets on a leash to minimize contact.
The signs also say that restrooms and other frequently touched areas, such as the playground areas, will be sanitized regularly.
To help with that, Oliver said Bellingham Parks and Recreation has temporarily converted some grounds crews to facilities crews so that they can work in shifts all day, disinfecting surfaces at least twice a day.
Oliver also said that the parks fountains have been shut down and parks facilities have been closed — including the Bloedel Donovan Park buildings, Arne Hanna Aquatic Center, Civic Field, Joe Martin Field, Woodstock Farm, Dept Market Square and park pavilions. Park restrooms remain open to help facilitate proper hygiene.
Ferndale closes park playgrounds
The City of Ferndale announced on Thursday, March 19, that it closed various city playgrounds and play features in response to COVID-19. The move was made out of an abundance of caution, city spokesperson Sherry DeJong wrote in an email.
The closure includes the Star Park playground, as well as playgrounds at Cedar Creek Park, Michael Moore Park and Oxford Park, and impacts only the playground facilities and play structures themselves, DeJong reported. All other city parks and trails remain open, but the parks were closed because, “we just don’t have a way to keep the equipment constantly sanitized,” DeJong wrote.
