Local parks officials scramble to open early after governor updates order

Summer will without a doubt look different this year, but under the governor’s updated stay-at-home order, most Hoosiers will have the opportunity to enjoy this holiday weekend outdoors.

Initially, playgrounds, campgrounds and other recreational facilities were slated to reopen Sunday, but Gov. Eric Holcomb announced changes to his Back on Track Indiana Plan Thursday which accelerated or pushed back open dates.

The plan allows all Indiana counties with the exception of Marion, Cass and Lake to enter Stage 3 today, two days early. This means that campgrounds, outdoor sports fields and gyms can reopen today. However, in the updated plan released Friday, playgrounds cannot reopen until June 14.

Parts of parks, facilities start to reopen today

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Local parks departments officials have deviated from the governor’s order a bit, deciding to reopen some facilities more slowly than what’s allowed.

Each local parks department put together a plan to gradually reopen all public facilities based on guidance from the state’s plan and local officials. Those plans include increased cleaning and new standard operating procedures to create a safe environment for visitors.

Franklin Parks and Recreation scrambled to readjust its plan and wrap up cleaning regimens quickly, but moved the date back when the governor’s new plan was released late Thursday, said Chip Orner, the city’s parks director.

Franklin was able to reopen park shelters and will allow rentals for up to 100 people at Beeson Hall, Franklin Active Adult Center and Palmer Park Community Center, according to the department’s plan.

City officials opted to keep the Cultural Arts and Recreation Center closed until July 4, when it is permitted to open with fewer restrictions, Orner said.

Johnson County Park reopened campgrounds earlier than expected. Staff had been preparing to reopen on Sunday, and had the large campground at the park booked at 50% with reservations by mid-week, said Megan Bowman, county parks director.

“We are as excited to welcome people back as much as they are to come back,” Bowman said.

Staff spent the day Thursday taking new reservations and calling those who were forced to cancel by Holcomb’s previous order, she said.

Meanwhile, Greenwood opted to stick to its planned Sunday date to reopen outdoor sports fields.

On Monday, Greenwood will open the gym and indoor courts at the Greenwood Community Center at a 100-person capacity.

To use the facility, members must answer health-related questions and submit to a temperature check, said Rob Taggart, Greenwood parks director. Hours will be shortened, and court users will need to bring their own balls, he said.

Edinburgh Parks and Recreation plans to keep all of its facilities, including playgrounds and outdoor sports fields, closed to the public until at least June 1, said Tracy Beier, events coordinator for Edinburgh parks.

With no activities planned for at least two more weeks, Beier and the rest of the staff are using this time to plan modified activities for children once its facilities safely reopen, she said.

“Yes, things are having to be canceled, but we are thinking about all of the options. We don’t want to completely take this [summer] away from these poor babies,” Beier said.

Local pools on different reopening timelines

Local pools won’t open this weekend as they traditionally would.

The county’s pools and aquatic centers will remain closed for at least two more weeks. Under the state’s plan, pools may open on June 14 at half capacity and with precautions in place, with masks and social distancing encouraged.

Greenwood’s Freedom Springs Aquatic Center will open at 50% capacity on June 15, but only for families who have purchased a pool pass, Taggart said. The pool will open for day pass admissions July 5, he said.

The Franklin Aquatic Center will remain closed until July 4, Orner said. The city made the decision to wait until July because reopening in June would require pool employees to wear masks, he said.

“I don’t think that is feasible at a pool to wear a mask,” Orner said, noting that it could be a safety issue for lifeguards to pause and take off their mask before jumping in to save someone who may be drowning.

The Edinburgh Aquatic Center’s plans are still in limbo, but the town council is expected to firm up reopening plans for all of the town’s park facilities Tuesday, Beier said. The council, with input from parks staff, will decide whether to open the pool in mid-June or early July, she said.

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While parts of some parks are reopening this weekend, here is a look at what is still closed and when it may reopen:

All playgrounds remain closed until June 14 or later.

All Edinburgh parks and recreation facilities remain closed.

Franklin Family Aquatic Center is closed until July 4.

Franklin’s Cultural Arts and Recreation Center is closed until July 6, when fitness classes will resume.

Greenwood Community Center gym and indoor courts will open at 100-person capacity Monday for members only.

The Community Center will begin party and room rentals and the city will resume park events on or after July 6.

The splash pad, shelter rentals, field rentals and summer camps will open June 15.

Freedom Springs Aquatic Center will open at 50% June 15 for pass holders only.

Independence Park is closed for construction until early June.

Hoosier Horse Park will open for events for up to 250 people June 14.

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