City of Kingston closes all playgrounds and parks due to COVID-19

Tori Stafford
A City park sits vacant during the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo by Cris Vilela.

On Friday, Mar. 27, 2020, the day after declaring a state of emergency, the City of Kingston has announced the closure of all playgrounds and parks.

According to the City, this decision was made in alignment with recommendations from Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (KFL&A) Public Health, as well as the City’s declaration of a state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Playgrounds and park amenities encourage group gatherings of more than five people, usage which goes against the physical (social) distancing measures recommended by public health officials. Surfaces in these spaces are not sanitized and represent a risk of community transmission of COVID-19,” the City said in a press release.

The amenities and public spaces that are now closed include:

  • Play structures, swings, slides and climbers
  • Sports fields and ball diamonds
  • Basketball, pickleball and tennis courts
  • Off-leash dog parks
  • Skateboard parks
  • Beaches
  • Splash pads
  • Park washrooms and buildings
  • Benches, picnic tables and shade shelters

During this closure, walking through parks and public spaces will be permitted, but the City strongly urges residents to maintain physical/social distancing (two metres). Safe park practices that are permitted include running, walking, or jogging through parks while keeping a two-metre distance from others. Residents can also walk dogs through parks where this is normally allowed.

For more information on COVID-19 in Kingston, including trusted resources and information on local closures and cancellations, see our quick reference guide here.

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One thought on “City of Kingston closes all playgrounds and parks due to COVID-19”

  • KH
    April 1, 2020 at 6:26 am
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    This doesn’t seem to have reached Shannon Park, specifically the Skate Pad which is in use every evening between 4:00 and 6:00. Those using it are arriving by car so not kids but at least the driver over 16 years of age. With the good weather forecasted younger kids will see this and be attracted to use the Skate Pad themselves.
    Youth believe they are invincible to the virus but if they continue to group together and ignore physical distancing they, in fact, may well be the ones that end up spreading this virus on a larger scale.
    Time to enforce strict fines to those not following the law, either to offenders (16+) or parent guardians if youths (15 and under).
    Different times different rules.

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