Access to Berens Park Limited Further

ELMHURST, IL — The Elmhurst Park District has taken more drastic measures for its two synthetic turf fields at Berens Park. The district is trying to keep people from congregating on its properties as part of efforts to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Until recently, the district had caution tape around the fields.

"While the vast majority of folks have been abiding by the Governor’s executive order and our park closure guidelines throughout the district, we decided to erect semi-permanent barricades to discourage folks from going on to the turf fields," Jim Rogers, the district's executive director, said in an email to Patch on Tuesday.

Elmhurst officials have warned people to avoid gatherings and that police may take action if necessary. Authorities in other towns, including Hinsdale and Western Springs, have dealt with similar issues.

Last month, the Elmhurst Park District decided to tape off playgrounds a few days after the governor issued his stay-at-home order. It also removed rims from basketball courts, locked tennis courts and the skate park, and removed soccer and lacrosse goals from athletic fields.

"Many people chose to disregard the Governor's order, and we received an abundance of responses from people expressing concern about the volume of people in the parks playing on playgrounds and gathering on athletic fields," Rogers said in a public letter at the time.

He said the staff had to leave the safety of their homes and expose themselves to surfaces that have been touched by thousands of people — "any of whom could be infected."

Read more:

Illinois Coronavirus Update April 28: 48,102 Cases; 2,125 Deaths

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