Mayor Closes Fort Tryon Playground For Flouting Social Distancing

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — Fort Tryon Park's Jacob K. Javits Playground will be closed by the end of the day after parkgoers continued to flout social-distancing rules, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced.

The Washington Heights playground, which just reopened this month after a long-awaited renovation, was one of 10 New York City playgrounds that the mayor said needed to be locked up after crowds weren't complying with social-distancing rules meant to stop the spread of the new coronavirus.

"I have been very clear: if we see a problem spot that’s recurrent, we’re going to shut it down," de Blasio said at a Tuesday press conference. "Those are playgrounds that had crowding multiple times — they will be shut down, they will be locked, there will be signs put up there and there will be enforcement."

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De Blasio, the NYPD and parks officials had struggled to control crowds throughout the city since New Yorkers flocked to parks and playgrounds to get fresh air during a stay-at-home order. Social-distancing guidelines ask that people stay at least six feet apart from one another to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The city banned team sports and revoked all permits for large gatherings, but said it would be forced to shut down playgrounds and other areas if crowds continued.

The playgrounds closed Tuesday include Jacob Javits, Raoul Wallenberg Playground in Harlem, Watson Gleason Playground in the Bronx, Mauro Playground in Queens, Clove Lakes Park's two playgrounds in Staten Island, and four playgrounds in Brooklyn. The Brooklyn playgrounds include Middleton, Brighton and two in Fort Greene Park.

The coronavirus had infected more than 38,000 and killed 914 in New York City as of Tuesday.

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