Coronavirus (COVID-19) Social Distancing in Public Parks and Trails

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CLARK COUTY PUBLIC WORKS OPENS PLAY STRUCTURES AT ALL COUNTY PARKS

10/28/2020 

Vancouver, Wash. –The Clark County Public Works department is re-opening all play structures across the county parks system following guidance from Public Health and state guidelines.

Public Works closed playgrounds in late March in accordance with the early public health guidelines aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19. Clark County joins a growing list of jurisdictions that are re-opening play structures in accordance with local and state public health guidelines.

While the play structures will be open, county officials urge visitors to be prepared by washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after visiting a playground and avoid touching your face. Social-distancing guidelines remain in place at all county parks, meaning park goers should maintain at least six feet of distance from others and will need to wear a mask when around others from outside of the home. Masks are required in social settings for park visitors above the age of five, and are highly recommended for those between the ages of two and four.

Park users are expected to follow social-distancing and safety protocols including:

  • Do not use parks or trails if you are exhibiting symptoms.

  • Park restrooms and washing facilities are not available at every park. Many park restrooms will close for the winterization as the weather gets colder. Park goers should be prepared with hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

  • Follow CDC’s guidance on personal hygiene prior to visiting parks or trails.

  • Share the trail and warn other trail users of your presence and as you pass.

  • Observe CDC’s minimum recommended physical distancing of six feet from other persons not from your household at all times.

  • If you are not able to maintain social-distancing guidelines while visiting a county park, please go home and try to come again at another time.

More information about available accommodations at Clark County parks can be found on the Public Works website: https://www.clark.wa.gov/public-works/clark-county-parks. You can also find real-time information on the Public Works TwitterFacebook and Instagram accounts, and on NextDoor.



CLARK COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS OPENS SOME RESTROOMS AT COMMUNITY, REGIONAL PARKS

5/27/2020

Vancouver, Wash. –The Clark County Public Works department has re-opened some permanent and portable restrooms at community and regional parks across the county following a recommendation from the Board of Health on Friday.

The restrooms were selected for re-opening based on a variety of factors including where frequent and daily cleaning is feasible with limited staff capacity. Not all park restrooms will re-open at this time or have hand washing facilities available, so visitors should be prepared by bringing hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when visiting local parks, staying close to home, and following social distancing guidance. Park users should also wash their hands with water and soap for at least 20 seconds upon returning home.

“We are monitoring and evaluating our parks’ amenities, capacity and public health guidance and really do need everyone’s help to make sure the facilities stay open, clean, and people maintain social-distancing protocols to keep all park users and our staff safe and healthy.” said Parks and Lands Division Manager Galina Burley.

“We have 89 parks, many of them with multiple restrooms and other facilities,” said Public Works Director Ahmad Qayoumi. “We are working hard to open and maintain as many facilities as we can with limited staff and resources.”

Park users are expected to follow social-distancing and safety protocols including:

Do not use parks or trails if you are exhibiting symptoms.
Follow CDC’s guidance on personal hygiene prior to visiting parks or trails.
Share the trail and warn other trail users of your presence and as you pass.
Observe CDC’s minimum recommended physical distancing of six feet from other persons not from your household at all times.
If you are not able to maintain social-distancing guidelines while visiting a county park, please go home and try to come again at another time.

More information about available accommodations at Clark County parks can be found on the Public Works website: https://www.clark.wa.gov/public-works/clark-county-parks. You can also find real-time information on the Public Works Twitter, Facebook and Instagram accounts, and on NextDoor.


CLARK COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS TO CLOSE RESTROOMS AT ALL COUNTY PARKS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

4/1/2020

Vancouver, Wash. – With the support of Clark County Public Health and the Clark County Council, restrooms in all county parks will be closed effective immediately. The closure helps support Gov. Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order.

“We appreciate the support of the council and Public Health in continuing to prioritize the safety of the public and our Public Works staff,” said Public Works Director Ahmad Qayoumi. “We know these aren’t easy decisions to make, but we are thankful to the council for allowing us to implement these safety standards so we can keep parks open for the community.”

On March 24, the Clark County Council supported closing playgrounds and play structures at all parks in Clark County.  Clark County joins a growing list of local jurisdictions that are closing playgrounds, restrooms and other park facilities to protect public health and safety.

Park users are expected to follow social-distancing and safety protocols including:

Do not use parks or trails if you are exhibiting symptoms.
Follow CDC’s guidance on personal hygiene prior to visiting parks or trails.
Share the trail and warn other trail users of your presence and as you pass.
Observe CDC’s minimum recommended physical distancing of six feet from other persons not from your household at all times.
If you are not able to maintain social-distancing guidelines while visiting a county park, please go home and try to come again at another time.

“While visitors will still be able to use parks, we are asking all Clark County residents to do their part in stopping the spread of COVID-19,” said Parks and Lands Division Manager Galina Burley. “The county’s parks staff does not have the capacity to actively enforce closures and social-distancing guidelines, so we rely on members of the public to follow the guidelines for the health and safety of our community.”


 

 

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CLARK COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS TO CLOSE PLAYGROUND STRUCTURES AT ALL COUNTY PARKS EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

3/25/2020
Vancouver, Wash. – At a public meeting on March 24, the Clark County Council voted unanimously to close all playgrounds in Clark County parks effective immediately. The decision was made based on the Governor’s Executive order and is supported by Clark County Public Health.

Parks Grounds and Maintenance staff will begin posting closure signs at all Clark County Parks today. Some public restrooms will remain open, but park users should be prepared to not have access to a restroom or hand-washing facilities.

“We are grateful for the council’s commitment to keeping our parks and green spaces open,” said Public Works Director Ahmad Qayoumi. “But closing down playground structures is an important step in preventing the spread of COVID-19.”

“We cannot stress enough how important it is to follow the Governor’s ‘Stay Home, Stay Healthy’ order,” said Parks and Lands Division Manager Galina Burley. “While the parks remain open to those walking, rolling, or strolling - activities which do not involve close contact and where six feet of social distancing can be achieved, we urge all park visitors to be mindful and prepared.”

Clark County joins a growing list of local jurisdictions that have closed playground structures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.