Coronavirus: Austin Closes More Parks For Social Distancing

AUSTIN, TX — City officials this week announced the closure of all municipal parks in an effort to promote physical distancing in light of the growing new coronavirus threat.

The only amenities that will remain open are restrooms and water fountains, officials noted. The decree adds to previously closed Park and Recreation Department (PARD) facilities, officials said in a press advisory on Sunday.

The move comes amid anecdotal evidence of large gatherings in recreation areas in spite municipal orders banning gatherings of more than ten people. The decision was made after "deliberation and consultation" with the Austin Public Health department and city leadership, officials explained.

"While in ordinary times park amenities provide countless benefits, these amenities under current circumstances hinder the ability for individuals to practice physical social distancing," officials announced.

After a pair of drownings in Austin at separate local bodies of water — incidents that occurred at a time when people have been asked to stay home — Patch on March 27 reached out to the Austin Police Department to determine if closures of city facilities would be more robusly enforced. "All City of Austin PARD pools are closed," city officials to whom the question was referred wrote back, providing a list of those closures that is accessible by clicking here.

In the city's latest advisory, the fuller closure announced Sunday applies to amenities such as, but are not limited to:

• Basketball courts
• Tennis courts
• Skate parks
• Playgrounds (which were already closed last week)
• Exercise equipment (which were already closed last week)
• Pavilions
• Park green space, trails and golf course green spaces--where social distancing can still be maintained--remain open.

"PARD encourages individuals to continue practice social distancing and proper hygiene if they use park green space, trails or golf course green space," officials wrote.

The permanent restroom structures that are operational are cleaned and sanitized multiple times a day, city officials added. "The restrooms that are closed were closed prior to COVID-19 for construction or repair."

Over the next few days, PARD staff will install signage to remind the community of the closures.
For City of Austin updates on COVID-19, visit austintexas.gov/COVID19.