All City of Parksville playgrounds are closed indefinitely. The order applies to playgrounds on City property and does not cover school district property or other public parks and trails in Parksville. (Alex Rawnley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

playground closure

City of Parksville shuts down playgrounds to reduce COVID-19 transmission

Mar 20, 2020 | 11:56 AM

PARKSVILLE — All playgrounds under the City of Parksville’s control are closed indefinitely in a bid to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

The Friday announcement from the City is effective immediately to “protect our residents and encourage social distancing in our community.”

Parksville’s communications manager Deb Tardiff said the order only involves their approximately ten parks with playground equipment and does not apply to their other parks and trails.

“The City of Parksville did not make this decision lightly,” Tardff said. “We really truly wish to protect our residents and do everything we can to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Tardiff hoped signage would be posted at all of the impacted playground sites by end of day Friday.

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She said bylaw officers will patrol parks while the playground ban is in place to remind people of the order.

Tardiff said the decision to close their playgrounds for the time being was made after Provincial Medical Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry discouraged playdates and kids going to playgrounds.

The playground closure does not apply to school district property within the City of Parksville.

While all indoor recreation facilities are closed throughout the mid-island, Parksville is the first jurisdiction in the region to close playgrounds.

The City of Nanaimo stated in a news release it intends to keep its playgrounds open with enhanced cleaning procedures seven days a week at its 25 busiest playgrounds.

There are 37 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Island Health region as of Saturday, March 21 and 424 in the province overall.

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