As part of Stage 3 reopening, the Town of Innisfil announced that playgrounds in 10 local parks would be open to the public, as of Friday – with a strong recommendation for families to practice physical distancing, wash or sanitize hands after using play equipment, and to come back another time, if the playgrounds seem too busy.
For several parents, the reopening was a welcome step in a return to more normal conditions.
“I’m really happy,” said mom Jacqui. “We’ve been waiting.”
Her kids – three-year-old Matthew and five-year-old Nathan – are “super excited,” she said.
The family was at Webster Park on Sunday, where the boys climbed on the monkey bars, slid down slides, and had an opportunity to play with other children.
“We’re definitely being careful,” Jacqui said. “We’re sanitizing our hands after snacks. We’re going to the smaller parks” – and if the equipment is too crowded, they come back another time or go to another park.
Being able to get out and use the playground provides a great break from being at home. “Our house is turned into a playground,” she said. “It does make us appreciate this.”
For mom Ashley, being able to take the kids to the park was “a 1000 out of 100.”
The family moved to the neighbourhood back in February – only to see security tape go up around the equipment when the COVID lockdown was announced.
“It’s nice to have social interaction again,” Ashley said. As for her boys, Josh and Benjamin, “their smiles say it all!”
Josh gave a huge thumbs up. Asked his favourite part of the playground, he pointed and said, “Climbing up those things!”
It was a similar story at Centennial Park, on the 7th Line.
“This is the first day we’ve been back,” said Bryan, there with five-year-old daughter Alyssa. “It gives her something to do.”
“I think it’s fantastic. It’s nice to feel a little bit of normalcy,” said Tom, who brought his children to Centennial Park for a breakfast picnic, followed by a morning of play on the equipment.
“The kids couldn’t wait to run over here and start playing,” he added, as Carson, 10, and Courtney, eight, tried out the swings.
Playgrounds that reopened for the weekend included the 10th Line Park, Belle Ewart Park, Centennial Park, Cookstown Community Park, Crossroads Park (on Jans Blvd.), Dempster Park, Fennell’s Corner Park, Innisfil Beach Park, Mapleview Park and Webster Park.
The town has advised that other playgrounds are still closed at this time, to give staff an opportunity to prepare signage, and further develop the processes to ensure user safety. The Innisfil Recreation Complex and other community centres are also still closed.
In addition to practising hand sanitizing and physical distancing, there was another safety message from the town: if you feel ill, with any of the symptoms of coronavirus, please stay home.
