Elmhurst Coronavirus: Crackdown At Parks

ELMHURST, IL — The Elmhurst Park District is enlisting the local police in help disperse large groups of people congregating in the parks in the wake of the governor's stay-at-home order. If the district's efforts fail, it may have to close the parks, a top official warns.

A day after people posted photos of people playing games at local parks on social media, Jim Rogers, the park district's executive director, issued a public letter Thursday about the issue. It is considered fine to walk, bike or jog in the parks, but not meet in large groups.

"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 the letter.

As a result on Thursday, staff placed "closed" signs near playgrounds, which will be roped off with caution tape. The district plans to remove rims from basketball courts. And tennis courts and the skate park are set to be locked, while soccer and lacrosse goals will be removed from athletic fields.

"To do all of these things, we are asking our staff to leave the safety of their homes and expose themselves to surfaces that have been touched by thousands of people in the last two weeks. Any of whom could be infected," Rogers said.

Rogers also said the district was working with the police department and city and that they were ready to help with enforcement by dispersing people who violate the governor's order. Park employees known as ambassadors also will make rounds through the parks. But such efforts are only temporary and violators can return once the ambassadors leave, Rogers said.

If the problems continue, the district would have to close the parks, Rogers said.

"Please do not make us take the next step of closing down the community parks entirely," Rogers said. "We want people to be able to get outside to get fresh air and go for a walk, but if this type of blatant disregard for the safety of others continues, we will be forced to do so. Asking people to stay at home is tough on all of us. But in the words of Simon Sinek, we all must suffer a little so no one has to suffer a lot."

City spokeswoman Kassondra Shref confirmed that police officers have been dispatched on calls about the park issues and are urging compliance with the governor's order.

The issue about the parks was discussed on the Elmhurst, IL News and Comment Facebook page, with many lamenting the congregations of people. A person posted a photo of a game taking place, saying, "I clearly missed the memo that pointed out soccer and football practice being recommended activities for social distancing. This level of stupidity is epic!"

A Downers Grove resident weighed in. "In Downers Grove, we are not allowed to go on the courts or fields, much less the parks. We have been told we may use the hiking trails and since they're 6 feet wide at least, we stay on one side of the trail. Everything has been closed."

Read more:

Illinois Coronavirus Update: 19 Deaths, Nearly 2,000 Cases

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