OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ) – The City of Oshkosh is opening park facilities in phases.
“What we started to do was open a number of the facilities that we did not open due to COVID,” says Parks Director Ray Maurer.
Everything from playgrounds to athletic fields and skateparks are now open again in Oshkosh. But the city is still advising residents to use them at their own risk.
“These areas are open to the public, but we are putting signage out letting people know that the city at this time does not recommend use of those due to the potential risk of COVID and common touchpoints,” Maurer tells WTAQ News, “We are not wiping down park surfaces – so we can encourage people to bring hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes with them. So really putting the personal responsibility on the individuals who choose to use these facilities at this time.”
The signage being posted simply detail recommendations from the CDC and Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Anyone using parks equipment or facilities are being asked to adhere to the guidelines.
“Utilize the CDC guidelines for social distancing and no group gatherings outside the household. We’re asking individuals to make sure to bring hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes – using good personal hygiene to help out the spread of the virus,” Maurer says.
Playgrounds, athletic fields, horseshoe pits, the beach at Menominee Park, the skate park at Red Arrow Park, basketball, tennis, pickle ball, and volleyball courts have all been reopened. Restrooms are available again at Menominee Park, South Park, Red Arrow Park, Rainbow Memorial Park, Boatworks, Fugleberg Boat Launch, and 24thAvenue Boat Launch.
Next week, park restrooms at Teichmiller Park and Stevens Park will open. Westhaven Circle Park restrooms will remain closed until renovations are completed over the next few weeks.
The train and water rides at the Menominee Park Children’s Amusement Centerare planned to open on Saturday, June 6th – as is the Menominee Park Zoo.
“We are going to limit it, to start, to only having 50 people inside the zoo facility at one time,” Maurer says.
The city already announced that Pollock Community Water Park would not be opening this season, and that decision has not changed.
“We’re sticking by our decision not to open the pool. The reason is the same issues that we identified at that time are still issues today – the staff shortage and the common touch points, the inability to disinfect properly,” Maurer explains.
Updates on the response to COVID‐19 may be found on the city of Oshkosh webpage.
