125 Tacoma playgrounds, sports courts, picnic shelters closed amid coronavirus concerns
To slow the spread of COVID-19, Metro Parks has closed Five Mile Drive and Point Defiance Park in Tacoma from vehicle access.
Hundreds of outdoor community gathering facilities in Tacoma also are closed as of Tuesday amid coronavirus concerns, according to an announcement by Metro Parks, including:
- 51 playgrounds
- 48 sport courts
- 27 picnic shelters
- 8 skate parks
- 31 public restrooms
Parking lot gates will be locked starting Wednesday at various sites, including Chinese Reconciliation Park, Brown’s Point, Stewart Heights and Tacoma Nature Center.
Gates to Point Defiance Park and Five Mile Drive also are locked, including Pearl and Mildred street entrances.
Signage will be posted at the closed sites this week.
The announcement comes after Gov. Jay Inslee issued a stay-at-home order on Monday, lasting two weeks.
“Parks remain open for visitors to walk, cycle and enjoy nature,” Metro Parks said in its announcement. “However, Metro Parks is taking these additional actions to support Gov. Jay Inslee’s recent orders to discourage groups from gathering, as well as to address the workload the park district can accommodate with diminished staffing levels.”
State parks and wildlife areas closed Wednesday, following the governor’s announcement.
Tacoma police are not sending out any patrols to monitor the sites but are focusing on education and awareness, Tacoma Police Department officer Wendy Haddow said.
Metro Parks asks visitors to use the honor system and not use spaces that are closed off.
People using open park space are asked to practice social distancing by staying 6 feet apart, bringing hand sanitizer and taking all belongings and trash home.
This story was originally published March 25, 2020 at 12:30 PM.
