Yorkville Recreation Areas, Trails To Remain Open For Public Use

YORKVILLE, IL – As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continues to rise around Illinois, the Village of Yorkville will continue to provide as many services as possible, Mayor John Purcell wrote in a letter to residents that was posted on the village’s website on Monday. According to Purcell, those services include public works, parks and recreation, police and building and zoning. As part of the village continuing to provide services “as expected”, local parks and recreational walking trails will remain open, Purcell wrote.

In his letter, Purcell cited Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s statewide shelter in place order, which has been in place for more than a week now. However, Purcell said the village is making “every effort” to keep life as normal for local residents as possible at a time when state health department officials announced on Monday that they predict that more than 2,300 Illinois residents will die from coronavirus.

Purcell wrote that while the village is continuing to monitor the coronavirus situation, he also understands the importance of physical and mental health of Yorkville residents, which has led him to keep local outdoor recreation areas and trails open to the public.

An email sent to Purcell seeking further comment was not immediately returned on Monday.

“We ask all residents to follow the Governor’s Executive Order and recommendations from the Illinois Department of Public Health and when visiting a City park open area or trail not to congregate in groups, wash your hands regularly, and stay home if you are ill,” Purcell wrote on the village's website. “Please note that staff may not be able to maintain parks and trails during this period. The City does not sanitize any park amenity, so we encourage those using the park to bring their own hand sanitizer and to observe safe social distancing measures.”