Outdoor Playgrounds And Facilities Reopening In Buffalo Grove

Press release from Buffalo Grove Park District:

June 28, 2020

The Buffalo Grove Park District has received word from the Illinois Association of Park Districts that although the governor's new executive order is silent on the use of outdoor playgrounds, they have received official guidance from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity that says, “units of local government are provided the discretion to determine if outdoor playgrounds can open; the playground should be limited to no more than 50 persons at the playground and following all other applicable Illinois Department of Public Health guidance.”

Park District personnel are currently removing the caution tape that has been placed on the playground equipment throughout the community. For safety reasons, we ask that members of the public do not use any playground equipment until the caution tape has been removed; and, please do not remove any caution tape. Please also maintain social distancing; and, we recommend wearing a facemask if other people are also using the playground.

Mike Terson , Buffalo Grove Park District superintendent of communications and marketing said, “When will the playgrounds reopen has been the most common question that we have received during this entire pandemic, but especially in the past couple of weeks.” He added, “It has been very difficult for our Board and staff to make decisions that take away recreational opportunities for the community we serve. However, safety is always are number one concern; so, we did what we had to do to help keep our residents safe and healthy. That being said, it’s been a long three months for people to be without so many recreational amenities, program and events; so, it’s nice to be able to be bringing back things that people love and miss so much.”

The Buffalo Grove Park District will be releasing a new program guide for July this coming Monday, June 29, with registration starting that same day, and programs beginning the following week on July 6. The guide can be downloaded on the Park District website at bgparks.org.

For the first time since the pandemic started, and the District moved to virtual programs, this program guide has both virtual and in-person programs and events.

And, for the first time since the pandemic began, Buffalo Grove Park District facilities will be reopening this coming Monday, June 29, with the exception of the Fitness Center, which will reopen the following Monday, July 6.

For updated information as things change, please visit the Park District website at bgparks.org.

This press release was produced by the Buffalo Grove Park District. The views expressed here are the author's own.