Oshawa and Pickering yesterday welcomed the provincial government’s announcements on the gradual and phased approach to reopening the province.
In response to the Provincial Order permitting the opening of some outdoor recreational amenities, the City of Oshawa has reopened a number of its outdoor amenities for community members to use while following government orders, health authority guidelines and adhering to the posted signage, said a city media statement.
Team sports or groups of more than five that are not part of the same household are still not permitted due to provincial emergency orders, it said.
Additionally, city staff are reassessing and working to reopen other outdoor amenities that are allowed to be open as per the Provincial Order, the statement added.
“With the onset of the warm weather, community members are excited for news that they can again use the city’s outdoor amenities. We appreciate your patience as staff perform due diligence and begin to gradually reopen our outdoor amenities with safety protocols in place,” said Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter.
Community members using outdoor amenities are reminded to adhere to safety protocols, government orders and health authority guidelines, including:
- Maintaining physical distancing of at least 2 metres (6 feet) or more between persons;
- Not using the amenities in groups of more than five (unless the gathering is comprised of members of a single household); and,
- Respecting posted signage on guidelines for use.
What’s Open and Closed
| Outdoor amenity | Opening status |
| Harmony Valley off-leash dog park | By May 22 |
| Tennis courts Note: courts at Alexandra Park and North Oshawa Park are closed until further notice for improvement work | By May 22 – casual use, restricted to single play only
|
| Pickle ball courts | By May 22 – casual use, restricted to single play only |
| Baseball diamonds | By May 22 – casual use, no permitting and no team sports play or practice |
| Soccer and sports fields | By May 22 – casual use, no permitting and no team sports play or practice |
| Basketball courts | By May 29 – casual use, no team sports play or practice |
| Skate parks at Donevan Recreation Complex, North Oshawa Park and Lakewoods Park | By May 29 |
| City playgrounds, play structures and outdoor gym equipment | Closed at this time |
| Park washrooms | Closed at this time |
| Lakeview Park picnic shelters and picnic tables | Closed at this time |
| Lakeview Park beach area | Closed at this time |
| Splash pads and City pools | Closed at this time |
Permits
Oshawa said outdoor permits are cancelled to the end of June with the exception of tennis and pickleball. Additionally, permits for indoor space remain cancelled until further notice.
Pickering lifts some restrictions
The City of Pickering said it is lifting restrictions on select outdoor areas, in accordance with Phase 1 of Ontario’s framework for reopening the province.
Outdoor Recreation (Park and Sports Field Amenities)
Effective immediately, the following areas are reopened:
- off-leash areas and parking lot – Grand Valley Park
- sports fields (including baseball diamonds, soccer fields, and track and field)
- Individuals may use outdoor sports facilities and multi-use fields for non-team sports, such as walking, running, biking, skateboarding, Frisbee, kicking a ball, and low contact racquet sports. Individuals are not permitted to play team sports such as soccer or baseball, even on fields intended for this purpose, unless they are members of the same household. Permits are suspended until July 1, 2020 (inclusive).
- basketball courts
- pickleball court – Village East Park
- skateboard park – Diana Princess of Wales Park
- picnic sites, benches and shelters in parks and recreational areas
- park parking lots
- public tennis courts – located at Village East and Claremont Park
- Please note that the indoor courts at Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex will remain closed until community centres are authorized to reopen.
- Please note that Club-operated tennis courts will reopen once the necessary arrangements have been made with the respective tennis clubs.
The city reminded residents that gatherings of more than five people are not permitted and urged them to practice physical distancing and remain 6 ft/2 m from those outside of their household.
As a reminder, the following remains closed until further notice:
- City facilities remain closed to the public, and select locations are minimally staffed to ensure the continued delivery of essential and critical services
- all outdoor playgrounds, play structures and play equipment
- all outdoor pools, whirlpools and spas, splash pads, spray pads, wading pools and water slides
- all communal facilities (washrooms & change rooms) intended to be used by persons using outdoor sports amenities
- all portions of park and recreational areas containing outdoor fitness equipment
Anyone caught removing or vandalizing caution tape, barriers, or signage, or using off-limit spaces may be fined.
Virtual Services
- Staff are available to assist virtually. Contact the Customer Care Centre to connect with experts from building services, finance, by-law, and more: 905.683.7575, customercare@pickering.ca, or pickering.ca/livechat, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
- Access virtual library services at picnet.org/digitalresources. Pickering Public Library curbside service will begin soon, and details will be announced on its website.
- Virtual Pickering Museum Village
- Virtual Farmers’ Market
- Virtual fitness classes
- Virtual events
- Virtual Council and City meetings
- Virtual recreational fun – visit facebook.com/RecreationPickering
Visit pickering.ca/covid19 for a detailed list of impacted areas.
“Protecting the health and well-being of our community remains a top priority as we proceed with the safe and deliberate approach to reopening our city. We are taking the most responsible measures to stop the spread, and with the support of our residents, businesses, and community groups, we are getting through this together,” said Deputy Mayor, Kevin Ashe.
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