Lakeview Park Beach will reopen to the public with limited access as of Friday, July 3, Oshawa announced.
The beach will be staffed with lifeguards daily between 11:30 am and 6:30 pm (weather permitting) and hours may be extended to dusk during an extreme heat alert, the city said.
Access to the beach will be monitored and controlled between 11:30 am 6:30 pm. with a maximum of 500 visitors allowed on the beach at one time to enable physical distancing. Once capacity is reached, visitors may be required to line up while respecting physical distancing and wait to enter the beach, it said.
“The city’s top priority is the safety and health of our community members and staff. At this time, the pier at Lakeview Park remains closed in order to adhere to government orders of physical distancing and gathering in groups. Additionally, volleyball nets will not be available for beach visitors,” said the announcement.
A limited number of portable washroom units, including accessible units, are available at Lakeview Park. The portable units allow the city to offer washroom facilities that provide for physical distancing. Hand sanitizers are available at each unit and they are being cleaned and disinfected daily. Additionally, some picnic tables available for visitors to use while adhering to health authority guidelines and government orders.
While visiting Lakeview Park including the beach, visitors must practise physical distancing and avoid crowding. Provincial orders restricting gatherings of more than 10 people who are not members of the same household are in effect. Visitors should follow health authority guidelines to stay within their social circle.
The city’s Pandemic Steering Committee has been working to introduce the gradual reopening of the city in a manner that mitigates risk and follows the medical advice of the province and the region.
Below are other changes to program services and operations announced on June 23.
Splash pads
The city is reopening its nine splash pads as of Thursday, July 2.
Splash pads will operate daily from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm and hours may be extended during an extreme heat alert.
City staff will monitor activity on a rotating basis at splash pads and will clean and disinfect the splash pads during each visit. Please respect posted signage indicating capacity and physical distancing.
Sports fields for outdoor team sports training
The city is reinstating permits for sports team training at outdoor soccer fields, sports fields and ball diamonds as of Thursday, July 2.
As directed by the province, outdoor team sports may resume use of fields for training purposes only and with no scrimmages or games. Physical distancing measures of 2 metres (6 feet) separation must be adhered to at all times when using the fields and diamonds.
Teams are reminded that there is no access to public washrooms or change rooms.
Create art for Lakeview Park’s 100th anniversary
Oshawa has invited artists of all ages, mediums and skill levels to submit proposals showcasing Lakeview Park past and present for the most recent installation of temporary public art in Oshawa.
The temporary art project is to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Lakeview Park. It will see the city’s Public Art Task Force choosing 10 submissions that will then be featured on banners showcased on the existing light poles throughout Lakeview Park, said a city statement.
Interested artists are encouraged to submit up to three sketches or mock-ups along with an application form. The deadline for submissions is Sunday, July 5. For more information on the Call to Artists, application form and the submission details and process, visit Public Art Opportunities – Call for Artists section.
This project supports the strategies of “Create Vibrant Places and Spaces” and “Conserve and Celebrate Oshawa’s Rich History and Heritage” identified in Culture Counts: Oshawa’s Arts, Culture and Heritage Plan. Implementation of this project is guided and supported by the City’s Public Arts Master Plan, which was approved by Council in June 2018.
“Oshawa is blessed with a broad and deep gift of talented artists of all media types. Personally, I am very much looking forward to what creative inspirations may arise from this open call for artistic expression about the 100th anniversary of our wonderful lakefront jewel,” said Councillor Rick Kerr, Chair of the Community Services Committee.
“I’m sure many of us across generations have wonderful memories of times spent at our incredible waterfront park, so it’s only fitting that we mark the one century milestone by calling for artists to create works that commemorate and capture the beauty of the space through an artist’s lens,” said Councillor Derek Giberson, Vice-Chair of the Community Services Committee.
CLICK FOR MORE NEWS ABOUT COVID-19
ALSO READ: