Sports making a slow comeback in PenMet parks

Sports are returning slowly to PenMet Parks fields, but it will a while before anyone can watch a real game — or even play catch.

Beginning this month, PenMet Parks has allowed small groups to rent outdoor space for athletic training. This has been made possible due to Phase II of the state Safe Start plan.

For now, practices are limited to five players and a coach. And activities like playing catch — where everyone touches the same ball — are a no-no.

Still, said Doug Nelson, the PenMet executive director, it’s good to see kids back on the fields.

“There’s the physical benefits of getting out and exercising, getting fresh air, taking in nature,” said Nelson. “There are so many great physical benefits, but just the mental and social, even some of the spiritual impacts of people getting out and seeing friends, other family members, teammates. I know it’s important to a lot of people.”

Whether competitive fall sport games will be held is still up in the air, but Nelson is cautiously optimistic. If Pierce County advances to Phase III, up to 50 people may be allowed on the same field.

“A lot of things have to transpire from now to fall for us to be reassured for us to play games,” he said. “I have no doubt in our staff’s ability. We can follow whatever guidance is put out there in terms of practices that we are required to follow to accommodate fall sports leagues. It will really come down to what those leading agencies will allow us to do.”

Sports around the world are slowly integrating back into society, whether it be European soccer or the NBA. The majority of these professional leagues have opted not to let fans attend. Nelson said he believes they will be able to allow parents to attend games in the fall, if they are in fact going to be played.

Besides extracurricular leagues that use its fields, PenMet itself offers flag football and soccer for various age groups.

“We can put guidelines in place to keep families together but separate from other guests, which is different from a large, sporting event which would be difficult to control,” Nelson said. “In our case, to me it would be more manageable. It would still be a challenge, but more manageable.”

Nelson said it is possible that modifications may need to be put into place for fall sports, but doing so will be tricky..

“We are always open to modifications of a sport or game,” Nelson said. “It’s really become a sign of the times that we have to be creative in the way we design some sports. In some cases, we may redesign a way a sport is played from a recreational standpoint, so people are back on the fields.”

These modifications will expand further than just sports. PenMet Park events will also possibly need modification. Nelson said events may need to switch toward the hiking and fun-run genres, as they allow for social distancing.

“Things like cycling, hiking and running have been perceived as safe activity,” Nelson said. But he may also steer activities toward “hiking, fun runs, scavenger hunts ,places that allow us more space and allow up to keep people separated but also do fun and healthy things.”

PenMet is excited to get back to recreational activity, but it can’t skimp on safety, he added.

“We need to remind them we have guidelines in place for a reason, which is to keep people safe,” Nelson said. “We are not trying to damper their enthusiasm or tightly enforce certain policies; it has nothing to do with that. We are trying to maintain a level of safety they expect for us to uphold.”

Nelson said the slow opening up sports will be an exciting time for all ages. Physical and social interactions are important for children, but Nelson pointed out the older folks who may benefit from the opening of sports and activities.

“We have an aging population who is physically active, socially active, and economically active,” Nelson said. “The fact we are starting to get provisions that allow us to get out and socialize, it means a lot to all of our user groups.”

For more information on PenMet Parks, visit https://penmetparks.org.

This story was originally published June 24, 2020 at 8:49 AM.