Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Fresno Closes Playgrounds Because of COVID-19
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 5 years ago on
April 1, 2020

Share

The city of Fresno is shutting down its playgrounds immediately because of the COVID-19 threat.
“The decision was made in accordance with the latest recommendations from the National Parks and Recreation Association to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and with an abundance of caution due to the inability to adequately disinfect and sanitize the equipment after every use,” a city news release states.
The playgrounds will be “wrapped protectively where feasible.”

Playgrounds the Latest Closure

Playgrounds are the latest escalation of closures during the pandemic. Last week, the city shut down parking lots at parks while keeping the grounds and playgrounds open.
Mayor Lee Brand, City Manager Wilma Quan and parks director T.J. Miller made the latest decision to ban the use of playground equipment.
Last week, Brand extended the city’s shelter-in-place moratorium through April 12. No date has been announced for resuming public access to playgrounds.
Park grounds and trails continue to be open for public use, but the city urges social distancing.
Already, either through city council act, emergency order or administrative decree, the city has ordered any non-essential business closed, reduced non-essential city services, and follow the state-mandated shelter-in-place order.
Non-essential businesses include all entertainment facilities, many retail stores and even houses of worship. The city said, through this morning, it received 265 complaints of illegally opened businesses, issued 89 notices to cease operation and issued three $1,000 fines.
The city council has established penalties ranging from warnings to fines of up to $10,000 for violations of its stay-at-home orders.
The city of Clovis has not issued any restrictions on use of its parks.

NPRA Recommendation

The city is following recommendations from the NPRA, a non-profit supporting parks and recreation. The recommendation was released yesterday.
“The (NRPA) understands the important value playgrounds and play structures provide to communities across the country, especially for children. But, given the current situation and the guidance from public health officials on physical distancing, limiting in-person social interactions, avoiding spaces where people congregate in close quarters, and the concerns around transmission of the virus being spread through surfaces, we believe that playgrounds and play structures should temporarily close in an effort to reduce community spread,” their statement read.
Jim Jakobs contributed to this story.
[covid-19-tracker]

DON'T MISS

Americans Seek Fresh Start Abroad as Election Sparks Expat Interest

DON'T MISS

President-Elect Trump Names Susie Wiles as Chief of Staff

DON'T MISS

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Foe of Drugmakers and Regulators, Is Poised to Wield New Power

DON'T MISS

California Beat Trump in Court His First Term. It’s Preparing New Cases for His Second.

DON'T MISS

With Mountain West Title Out of Reach, What Is Fresno State Playing For?

DON'T MISS

Former Fresno State Bull Rider, a Vietnam Vet, Calls Central Valley Honor Flight ‘Life-Changing’

DON'T MISS

Don’t Expect Kamala Harris’ Loss to Boost Gavin Newsom’s Presidential Prospects

DON'T MISS

Questions About Sexual Orientation and Gender ID on Track to Be on US Census Bureau Survey by 2027

DON'T MISS

Large Airstrikes Hit Beirut Suburbs as Israel Expands Northern Gaza Operations

DON'T MISS

California Governor Calls Special Session to Protect Liberal Policies From Trump Presidency

UP NEXT

Fresno County Duo Could Face 20 Years in Crop Insurance Fraud Scheme

UP NEXT

Woman Loses Van Ness Extension Mansion, Pleads Guilty to Tax Evasion and Obstruction

UP NEXT

Central Valley Weekend Packed With Sports, Tacos, Magic and Local Entertainment

UP NEXT

Fresno Man Arrested in SE Gas Station Shooting, Man Hospitalized

UP NEXT

Fresno County Double DUI Crash Leaves One Seriously Injured

UP NEXT

Cat House on the Kings Wants You to Adopt This Adorable Puppy

UP NEXT

Maher Thinks Votes Will Turn His Way Against Costa

UP NEXT

Henry Ellard Jr., Son of Former NFL Star, Pleads Guilty in COVID Relief Theft

UP NEXT

Bonakdar Leads Richardson By Slim Margin in NE Fresno Council Race

UP NEXT

Different Faces, Different Voices, But the Same Goal: Exercising Democracy by Voting

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

California Beat Trump in Court His First Term. It’s Preparing New Cases for His Second.

1 hour ago

With Mountain West Title Out of Reach, What Is Fresno State Playing For?

2 hours ago

Former Fresno State Bull Rider, a Vietnam Vet, Calls Central Valley Honor Flight ‘Life-Changing’

3 hours ago

Don’t Expect Kamala Harris’ Loss to Boost Gavin Newsom’s Presidential Prospects

3 hours ago

Questions About Sexual Orientation and Gender ID on Track to Be on US Census Bureau Survey by 2027

4 hours ago

Large Airstrikes Hit Beirut Suburbs as Israel Expands Northern Gaza Operations

4 hours ago

California Governor Calls Special Session to Protect Liberal Policies From Trump Presidency

4 hours ago

Putin Congratulates Trump on His Election Victory in His First Public Comments on the US Vote

4 hours ago

Federal Reserve Cuts Its Key Interest Rate by a Quarter-Point Amid Postelection Uncertainty

4 hours ago

Fresno County Duo Could Face 20 Years in Crop Insurance Fraud Scheme

5 hours ago

Americans Seek Fresh Start Abroad as Election Sparks Expat Interest

The U.S. presidential Tuesday election has sparked a surge in interest among Americans looking to move abroad, according to Forbes. And whil...

10 mins ago

10 mins ago

Americans Seek Fresh Start Abroad as Election Sparks Expat Interest

Trump co-campaign manager Susie Wiles is seen at Nashville International Airport as Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump arrives, July 27, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP File)
1 hour ago

President-Elect Trump Names Susie Wiles as Chief of Staff

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during a campaign rally for former President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, at Madison Square Garden in New York, Oct. 27, 2024. President-elect Donald Trump has encouraged Kennedy to “go wild on health,” but has not made clear what role he will play. (Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times)
1 hour ago

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Foe of Drugmakers and Regulators, Is Poised to Wield New Power

1 hour ago

California Beat Trump in Court His First Term. It’s Preparing New Cases for His Second.

2 hours ago

With Mountain West Title Out of Reach, What Is Fresno State Playing For?

3 hours ago

Former Fresno State Bull Rider, a Vietnam Vet, Calls Central Valley Honor Flight ‘Life-Changing’

3 hours ago

Don’t Expect Kamala Harris’ Loss to Boost Gavin Newsom’s Presidential Prospects

4 hours ago

Questions About Sexual Orientation and Gender ID on Track to Be on US Census Bureau Survey by 2027

Search

Send this to a friend