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Members of the Plymouth Township Board of Trustees
along with township resident Tim Doyle cut the ribbon
on the new Kay Arnold Picnic Shelter at the Miller Family
Park on Ann Arbor Trail. The shelter is dedicated to longtime
Township Trustee Kay Arnold who passed away in 2015.
The shelter was paid for by a donation from Doyle,
Arnold's husband, and county park funds. The Kay Arnold
Picnic Shelter will be a welcome addition to the Miller
Family Park, providing a welcoming place for families and
a wonderful tribute to a dedicated public servant, officials said.
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In response, several communities began opening park facilities which proved immediately popular with residents who had been in home isolation for nearly eight weeks.
CANTON TOWNSHIP
All Canton Township parks and trails remain open although the playgrounds, including splash playgrounds, are closed. Canton Leisure Services leaders urge all park users to follow proper CDC protocol and recommended social distancing guidelines.
The Canton Sports Center will remain closed through at least Aug. 1, including adult softball leagues, all tournaments, and Canton Township facilitated programs at this location.
NORTHVILLE
Playgrounds in Northville parks reopened for public use last Friday.
According to Township Supervisor Bob Nix and city Mayor Brian Turnbull, the reopenings were in response to the lifting of the previous restrictions.
Officials including Parks and Recreation Director Mark Gasche said that plans are under way to open up as many park amenities as possible.
The playgrounds have all had an initial sanitization, but going forward will not be sanitized, the officials said, so the public should be careful when using them.
“Please practice the recommended safety precautions by social distancing, using hand sanitizer, and washing your hands before and after using the playgrounds. Of course, if you or your child are sick or have been exposed to COVID-19, please stay home and help keep others safe,” the officials said in a joint prepared statement..
The tennis courts at Fish Hatchery Park are now open for play and registrations are under way for summer tennis classes. For details visit www.northvilleparksandrec. org.
The ball fields in the parks also opened last week for approved practices and plans are now under way to begin games, while following all of the recommended COVID safety guidelines.
The park pavilions will also be available for rental reservations. Send reservation requests to recreation@twp.northville.mi.us or call (248) 349-0203 ext. 0.
“We are also preparing to get the park restrooms ready for opening as soon as possible. No definite date has been determined yet, but we will let you know as soon as it is set,” the officials said.
PLYMOUTH
Kellogg Park in downtown Plymouth was crowded with visitors all weekend in response to the governor's easing of the executive order to stay home.
The parks and trails in Plymouth are now open for residents to enjoy fresh air and exercise, but city and township officials are urging visitors to comply with the governor's order and practice social distancing - stay at least 6 feet away from others, they cautioned. Do not use playgrounds or shared amenities, or play group sports (basketball, soccer, Frisbee, pickleball, tennis, etc.) as these surfaces are not sanitized, city sources said.
Enjoy the parks responsibly, officials urged.
“Spend time with your family or those you live with. We all play a role in slowing the spread of the coronavirus. When using parks and trails, do your part,” they urged..
More information about responsible park use is available at https://bit.ly/2X0AEY4
ROMULUS
Mayor LeRoy Burcroff confirmed that all city parks in Romulus reopened on Monday, June 8. He said all playgrounds, dog parks and walking paths were now open to the public.
“Please note that bathrooms will still be closed and we encourage you to stay home if you are feeling sick, practice social distancing, avoid touching your face, and wash your hands after visiting the playgrounds,” he cautioned.
“With summer around the corner, we are thankful residents have the opportunity to get outside and take full advantage of the nice weather by utilizing city parks and pathways,” Burcroff said.
SUMPTER TOWNSHIP
In Sumpter Township, Banotai Park is open with swimming only in designated areas, while Graham Park is open for public use, following the governor's orders for social distancing and safe practices, according to Parks and Recreation Commission member Sharon Pokerwinski.
She noted that there is currently a Butterfly Habitat being installed at Banotai Park, but it remains under construction and will not be complete and open to the public until sometime next month.
The children's playground area at both parks will undergo upgrades to the ground area and a swing added to accommodate wheelchair access this year, she said.
Parks in Westland reopened to the public last week with the exception of the H20 Zone Spray Park and the Westland Historical Village Park.
“As soon as we received word that parks could reopen, our team began a strategy to get them back up and running as quickly as possible,” commented Mayor William R. Wild. “We are hopeful that we will be able to reopen the H20 Zone on July 1, once we can amp up staffing levels for support.”
Currently, the spray park and concession stand will remain closed and the city will not be renting out park pavilions or banquet facilities.
The governor's order requires that individuals utilizing parks and other public spaces still maintain 6-feet of distance between one another, officials reminded potential park users. The City of Westland is recommending that masks be worn while in contact with others, they added.
