Visitors are encouraged to practice social distancing.
Frederick, Md (KM) Park facilities in Frederick County are gradually opening up.
At a briefing on Tuesday, Jeremy Kortright, the Director of Parks and Recreation, said the playgrounds are open. “And we ask that while you’re using our county park playgrounds, that you maintain physical distancing, and that you use hand sanitizer before and after each use,” he said.
Kortright said this announcement does not include playgrounds operated by Frederick County Public Schools. “As of this time, all Frederick County Public School sites indoors and outdoors are closed to the public,” he said
Many park facilities were closed earlier this year to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. But citizens could still visit the parks to take a walk, go for a run or ride their bicycles. None of the facilities were open
But with the health metrics from this virus improving, Frederick County has fully entered Stage Three of the Governor’s plan to reopen the state and it’s economy.
Kortright also announced that on July 1st, the county will start taking reservations for the use of park ballfields and shelters. But he says applicants will have to go through a special reservation process, describing how they will comply with social distancing and state and county regulations. “The new process is currently limited to ballfields and shelters, and does not include large community events,” he says.
Catoctin Creek Nature Center will open on a modified schedule on July 18th, but classrooms will remain closed. All visitors will be required to wear masks and maintain social distancing.
Summer all day camps, which the Parks and Recreation staff look forward to each year, have been canceled, says Kortright. But he says other recreational opportunities will be announced next week. “Some nature hikes. We have what we call some mini-camps, which are outdoor, three-hour programs They are based out of shelters and utilize the parks as their bases of operations,” he says.
Along with that, there will be pop up programs, treasure hunts for people of all ages, and fitness programs for adults.
For more information call the Division of Parks and Recreation at 301-600-1646, or e-mail to [email protected].
By Kevin McManus