Cary's Summer Celebration Has Been Cancelled

Press release from the Cary Park District:

Cary Park District COVID-19 Updates

Governor Pritzker has extended his Stay-At-Home order through May 30 in an effort to contain the spread of COVID-19. Due to this extension Cary Park District facilities will remain closed and all programs that were scheduled during this time have been cancelled. In addition, the Dog Park at Hoffman Park, the Skate Park at Lions Park, outdoor restrooms, and all playgrounds will remain closed.

This is a quickly evolving situation that we will continue to monitor. We will provide updates on our website as new information becomes available. If you have any questions, you may either contact a Park District staff member by using the staff directory found on our website, or you may send an email to caryparkdistrict@carypark.com.

Summer Celebration

Due to limitations on gathering sizes and social distancing guidelines Summer Celebration, the community’s largest summer event has been cancelled. This includes both the event hosted at Lions Park plus the fireworks presentation. It is our hope that we will be able to offer fireworks later in the year.

Parks, Trails, and Open Space

Even though some spaces are closed, there are still many opportunities to recreate in our community.

• Our parks, open space, and trail system remain open
• Fishing is allowed at Greenfields Park, Hoffman Park, and Jaycee Park
• Walnut Hollow Disc Golf Course is open
• Gardening is available at the Community Gardens in Hoffman Park. Limited garden plots are still available to rent. To rent a plot, complete a registration form and return it to the drop box along the sidewalk outside of the Community Center near the parking lot. We will contact you with your plot number after your registration is processed.
• Foxford Hills Golf Club is open. Golf cart paths are not to be used for walking/biking trails by the public. This is a safety matter and use of these paths is restricted to golf course users only.

All park and trail users should conduct themselves accordingly within guidelines set by federal, state, and local authorities as related to social distancing. Pets are allowed in the parks and trails, however they must on a leash and owners must pick up after their pet.

The Park District utilizes the Thor Guard Lightening Prediction System. All systems within the parks are operational, except for the Community Center. Systems located within Cary-Grove Park, Hoffman Park, Jaycee Park, Kaper Park, Lions Park, and Foxford Hills Golf Course are operational. The hours of operations have been reduced for all locations besides Foxford Hills Golf Course due to lack of scheduled activity in the parks.

Recreation Programs and Memberships

We are currently offering several virtual recreation programs that you can participate in the comforts of your home. Visit our website, follow us on Facebook, or subscribe to our e-newsletters to receive information on these opportunities.

Due to the current Executive Order in place we have cancelled all recreation programs that were scheduled to occur at our facilities through May 31.

• Recreation Programs: All programs and events that were scheduled to take place between March 14 – May 31 will be refunded. Refunds for these programs are underway.
• Fitness Center Memberships: All annual and monthly Fitness Center memberships were suspended due to the Community Center closure. Memberships will be extended by the length of the closure.
• Group Fitness Punch Cards: Expiration dates for Group Fitness punch cards will be extended by the length of the closure.
• ET KidZone:ET KidZone schedules were adjusted to reflect the District 26 closure which began on March 16. If your child was registered to attend ET KidZone between March 16 and the last day of school and you had already paid for any of those days you will receive a credit or refund.
• Cary Park District Preschool: Refunds or credits have been issued for the closure which began on March 16.
• Dog Park Memberships: Memberships will be extended by the length of the closure. Dog Park renewals will resume when the Community Center reopens.
• Park and Facility Rentals: Private events scheduled through May 31 have either been rescheduled or refunded without a cancellation fee

Summer Programs, Day Camp, and Community Center Pool

We are currently awaiting guidelines from federal, state, and local authorities to determine when and if summer programs may be offered. We are hopeful summer programs would begin the middle of June. This may result in a delay in the program’s original start day by a week or two. Program maximums may be reduced based on social distancing guidelines. In the event that we are able to accommodate more participants than expected we will utilize the waitlist. If a program you are interested in is full please go on the waitlist and you will be contacted if we are able to accommodate you. Going on the waitlist is free, payment would only be required if a spot in the program becomes available.

Camp ECHO and Sunshine Camp

Sessions I and II of both Camp ECHO and Sunshine Camp have been cancelled. We are currently awaiting guidelines from federal, state and local authorities to determine when and if camp programs may be offered. As of now, Session III which begins on Monday, June 15 may be the earliest session of camp that would be offered.

Early bird registration has been extended through May 31. Registration is accepted online or you may complete a registration form and drop it in the drop box outside of the Community Center. If you would like to use a Multi-Session Reward from last summer, please drop your camp registration in the drop box. Camp session maximums will be reduced based on social distancing guidelines and indoor facilities available for inclement weather days. In the event that we are able to accommodate more participants than expected we will utilize the waitlist. If a session of camp that you desire is full, please go on the waitlist and you will be contacted if we are able to accommodate you. Going on the waitlist is free, payment would only be required if a spot in the session becomes available.

Community Center Pool

We are currently awaiting guidelines set forth by federal, state and local authorities to determine when and if the Community Center pool will open this summer. As of now it has been determined that the pool will not open on Saturday, May 23 as originally planned. For this reason, pool pass sales are currently closed. Swim lessons scheduled for the month of June have been cancelled. If you have already purchased a pool pass or are registered for swim lessons and the pool does not open for the summer, you would be eligible for a credit or refund.

If you have any questions, you may either contact a Park District staff member by using the staff directory found on our website, or you may send an email to caryparkdistrict@carypark.com.

This press release was produced by the Cary Park District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.