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Parks and Recreation Division Updates COVID-19 Park Policies

[Duluth, MN] The City of Duluth Parks and Recreation division announced updates to their park policies as a part of the City’s weekly press conference on June 10. While the division strives to align with allowable activities within Governor Walz’s Stay Safe Minnesota Executive Orders, due to cuts to park maintenance’s workforce, some City policies remain more restrictive than at the state level.

Some of the updated policies include:

• Beginning on June 15, the Parks and Recreation division will begin accepting permit requests for activities, reservations and events at select outdoor park locations, and pavilions for up to 25 people. This is contingent on groups receiving City approval of their pandemic operations plan.
• Following the states guidance in allowing sports that are categorized as medium and high to resume in the future, the City may not have the capacity to provide for game-ready playing fields. Until at least July 1, games and competitions will not be permitted on any City fields without approval. Organizations and leagues may only proceed with maintenance, practices, and games (when allowed) after a pandemic operations plan has been approved by the City.
• Outdoor family-friendly programming for the general public will begin on June 15. This includes short, single-programs in addition to multi-day summer camp activities. For more information please visit: https://duluthmn.gov/parks/programs-events/general-programs/.
• Parks and Recreation staff will work with current tenants to resume public-facing operations that meet State Executive Orders within select park buildings. The list of buildings is contingent on approval of a pandemic operations plan and lease review. The buildings include: Bayfront Family Center, Chester Bowl Improvement Club, Central Hillside Community Center, Gary New Duluth Rec Center, Hartley Nature Center, Lester-Amity Chalet, Lester Park Library, Longview Tennis Clubhouse, Observation Park Center, Washington Center, and the Woodland Y.
• City of Duluth playgrounds will reopen to the public today, June 11. Those wanting to use playground equipment do so at their own risk, and should continue to follow all current CDC and Minnesota Health Department guidelines to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
• The following road closures will reopen to the public on July 1: Seven Bridges Road, Skyline Parkway along Hawk Ridge, Skyline Parkway and Hank Jensen Drive around Enger Park, Skyline Parkway from Haines Road to Highland Street, Skyline Parkway through Magney-Snively Natural Area, and Lincoln Park Drive.
• The public beach along Park Point remains open, but a limited number of trash and recycling cans are available for the public to use, with limited schedule to empty them. The City is asking the public for their help in pack out their trash, and trash found on the beach. The City is also asking for the public to only access the beach at access points, and respect private property. Plumbed restrooms remain closed, however porta-potties are available at the 12^th Street beach, Lafayette Community Center, and Park Point Recreation Area.
• Wade Stadium will be open for private rentals including sports practices and birthday parties for groups up to 25. Private event rentals can begin as soon as June 15.