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David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 5 years ago on
April 1, 2020

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Fresno Mayor Lee Brand announced Wednesday that all city parks will be closed Easter weekend, April 11-12, in the name of COVID-19 safety.

“In this COVID-19 environment, it would be very dangerous to keep them open.” — Mayor Lee Brand

Brand called it “an extremely difficult decision.”

Traditionally, Roeding Park and Woodward Park, two city-operated regional parks, draw huge crowds of families and friends celebrating the holiday.

“In this COVID-19 environment, it would be very dangerous to keep them open,” Brand said.

The parks will reopen Monday, April 13.

Brand said code enforcement and “maybe” private security would enforce the closures. He prefers enforcers just sending people home rather than issue any citations or arrests.

Brand Will Have “Smallest” Personal Easter Gathering

Once again, Brand made the announcement from the driveway of his northeast Fresno home. He did so to practice what he is preaching — staying at home during the pandemic.

“Being home all day can make you stir crazy, I know that. I try to make as few trips as possible. I’ve got to lead by example,” Brand said.

For his own Easter celebration, Brand will stay at home and celebrate with his wife, and maybe one of his adult children.

He says it will be the smallest Easter gathering he’s had in 40 years.

Fresnans Heeding Shelter-In-Place Order

“Being home all day can make you stir crazy, I know that. I try to make as few trips as possible. I’ve got to lead by example.”Mayor Lee Brand 

Brand said Fresnans have done a good job with the shelter-in-place order.

“The better job we do now containing the spread of COVID-19, the faster we can recover, and the faster we can return to our normal lives,” Brand said.

Last week, Brand extended the shelter-in-place order — set to expire on March 31 — until April 12.

Brand is expecting a surge of COVID-19 cases.

“While we are physically apart in keeping our distance, in our hearts we have never been more united,” Brand said.

City Closed Playgrounds Tuesday

Tuesday, the city closed down playgrounds in the name of safety. While parks and trails remain open, the parking lots are closed.

The city followed a recommendation of the National Parks and Recreation Association, a nonprofit group.

The playgrounds will be “wrapped protectively where feasible.”

According to the latest numbers from Fresno County Public Health, 68 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19, with no deaths reported.

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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

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