In response to the Province of Ontario’s order issued March 30 at 6:00pm under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, all City of Owen Sound outdoor recreation amenities are closed effective immediately.

Outdoor recreation amenities means the following:

1. All outdoor playgrounds, play structures and equipment.

2. All outdoor sports facilities and multi-use fields, including,
i. baseball diamonds,
ii. soccer fields,
iii. frisbee golf locations,
iv. tennis, platform tennis, table tennis and pickleball courts,
v. basketball courts,
vi. BMX parks, and
vii. skate parks.

3. All off-leash dog areas.

4. All portions of park and recreational areas containing outdoor fitness equipment.

5. All outdoor allotment gardens and community gardens.

6. All outdoor picnic sites, benches and shelters in park and recreational areas.

(2) Outdoor recreational amenities that are intended for use by more than one family are closed, regardless of whether they are publicly or privately owned and regardless of whether they are attached to a park system.

(3) No person shall enter or use an outdoor recreational amenity described in subsection (2) except for a maintenance, safety, law enforcement or other similar purpose.

( 4) For greater certainty, nothing in this Order precludes individuals from walking through or using portions of park and recreational areas that are not otherwise closed and that do not contain an outdoor recreational amenity described in subsection (2).

Staff are locking gates on outdoor sports facilities where possible and installing signs at each facility to remind the public.

At this time, City trails and open spaces remain available for public use, provided users are doing so in accordance with physical (social) distancing measures and are in groups of 5 people or less.

If you have been feeling unwell or have travelled in the last 14 days, you are required to self isolate and not use any public area during that time.

The COVID-19 virus can survive outdoors in the current weather conditions. As weather conditions change, the City will consult with Grey Bruce Public Health respecting the effect on the virus on outdoor facilities.

City Staff will continue to take advice and direction from Public Health Officials and take appropriate measures as necessary.

Members of the public are reminded to be diligent in their hygiene practices: www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.

source: media release, City of Owen Sound