St. Pete Reopens Dog Parks, Skate Parks And Tennis Courts

ST. PETERSBURG, FL —Dog parks, skate parks and athletic courts are now open in St. Petersburg. Mayor Rick Kriseman and the city sent out a Tweet on May 11 to let residents know about the reopening of dog parks, skate parks and tennis courts. From what Patch observed at Crescent Lake Park and Northshore Park, many residents continue to follow the Center for Disease Control guidelines with social distancing and wearing masks.

On Wednesday park walkers and joggers along the sidewalk at Crescent Lake Park were seen stepping onto the grass to keep 6 feet of distance between them and a runner or jogger who passed by on the sidewalk. The same was true at Northshore Park.

At both locations, some people wore masks while others did not. There were also dog owners at the Vinoy Dog Park who wore masks and others didn't.

Chris Whalen, a regular at Vinoy with his dog, told Patch it's a relief that it's open. "I ride my bike here almost every day, and I rode by yesterday and saw that it was open and then I went back home and grabbed my dog and brought him here."

Whalen did not have a mask on and said he doesn't wear a mask when he's outside, but he does put a mask on when he's indoors with others such as being inside a grocery store. He said he doesn't have symptoms but just in case he's asymptomatic, he wouldn't want to spread the coronavirus.

He thinks St. Pete residents are doing a good job with social distancing, especially in outdoor places such as running parks and dog parks.

A man who did have on a mask at Vinoy, Mike Corbey, said he is glad that things are slowly reopening in St. Pete and is glad to see so many people in the city respecting the guidelines of the Center for Disease Control.

He wears a mask because he wants to stay healthy. He said that everyone can make their own choice about wearing masks or not.

"I didn't know the dog parks were closed," said Allison Rhian as her small terrier mix ran around Cresent Lake Dog Park. "But I haven't been here long enough to know that. I relocated here a week ago to be with my family during these times. It feels safer being with family, and I'm glad this little guy has a place he can run around because he has nowhere to run at my mom's."

Rhian and her mother, Laura, did not have on masks, but Laura said she wears one when she is inside stores.

The mayor's tweet reminded residents that the Center for Disease Control guidelines are in effect at parks and athletic courts such as keeping physical distance of six feet or more and gatherings of 10 or more people are prohibited.