Overcrowding At Towamencin Parks Could Lead To Closure, Twp Warns

TOWAMENCIN, PA — It's become a familiar sight throughout the Delaware Valley: sunshine and spring in bloom, and massive groups of people who suddenly find themselves with an unprecedented amount of free time.

It's resulted in parks around the region, including in the Towamencin area — Fischer's Park, Towamencin Park, White's Road Park, Wissahickon Park, and parts of State Evansburg Park, to name a few — being filled to the brim with summertime weekend or festival-level crowds on a near-daily basis.

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The problem is not that residents are using the parks, or that people are exercising, it's that they're continuing to refuse to follow basic social distancing guidelines, officials say.

Exercise is one of the few "life-sustaining" reasons that residents are permitted to leave their homes in Pennsylvania. And health officials continue to tout its benefits for mental health and a healthy immune system. But anyone who does go out for a walk must remain at least six feet away from anyone else. That's a guideline established by the CDC to help limit the spread of coronavirus, and officials around the world are urging residents that it's the best tool available to fight the pandemic.

In Towamencin, officials said they'd received ongoing reports about issues in the parks, particularly Fischer's Park. It's gotten to the point where they're considering closing the township parks if things don't improve.

"We will be monitoring the parks over the next few days to ensure compliance for the safety of our entire community," the township said in a statement. "If we find that the crowded conditions are not improving, the Township will unfortunately need to close the parks to the public. We do not want to resort to this with the beautiful weather and the need for all of us to get some exercise and a break from home. Let’s work together to keep our open space and trails available during these stressful times."

Officials also reminded residents that the social distance rule applies to everyone who is not in your household. Even if the person is a family member or close friend, if they're not within your household, they should not be within six feet.

Similar issues are ongoing throughout the state, prompting health officials to issue statements on "play dates."

"Parents and caregivers: If you're wondering if kids can participate in play dates, sleep overs, or activities with other kids while off from school for COVID-19, the simple answer is NO," the state Health Department said.

Instead, health professionals suggest having your kids play outside in your yard, going for a family walk, and video chatting with friends or family.

>>>Full coverage of coronavirus in Pennsylvania