Grand Rapids Reporter

City of Grand Rapids issued the following announcement on June 5.

The City of Grand Rapids today announced that splash pads, other park amenities and City buildings will reopen to the public Monday, June 8 as part of phase 1 of its re-entry plan.

The following park amenities will begin to open Monday with physical distancing guidelines:

• The City’s 14 splash pads will be open daily 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Physical distancing of 6 feet will be required for those not of the same household.
• Basketball courts, bike polo courts, futsal courts, pickleball courts, tennis courts, volleyball courts, disc golf courses, soccer fields and skateboarding features will begin to reopen. All will be open by week’s end. Physical distancing of 6 feet will be required for those not of the same household. Organized contact sports will not be allowed.
• Outdoor picnic shelters and picnic tables – shelter reservations for gatherings of 100 people or fewer start June 12. Physical distancing of 6 feet will be required for those not of the same household. Gatherings of more than 100 people will not be allowed per state orders.
• Grills
• Playgrounds
• Exercise equipment

“We are pleased to be able to reopen our splash pads and many of our athletic amenities,” said David Marquardt, the City’s parks and recreation director. “We encourage residents to enjoy our 14 splash pads – with safe physical distancing – to help stay cool this summer.

The following amenities will remain closed until further notice:

• Enclosed shelters and community gyms
• Restrooms
• Drinking fountains 

The outdoor pools at Briggs Park, Martin Luther King Park and Richmond Park will remain closed for the 2020 season.

“We are disappointed that we cannot open our pools this summer. This decision was not made lightly,” Marquardt said. “The health and safety of our residents and the employees that staff our pools is of highest priority. The continued CDC guidance on physical distancing and avoiding common touch point surfaces is particularly challenging in a pool setting.”

Also Monday, some City departments will reopen for walk-in service while others will accept appointments. Departments that will reopen for walk-ins include:

• 311 Customer Service Center on the Monroe level of City Hall, 300 Monroe Ave. NW, will be open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Residents will be able to pay their water bill, add funds to their refuse account, open new water service, order a recycling cart and access general 311 services. Physical distancing guidelines will be in place. Visitors will be asked to follow and stand on floor markings while waiting in line and a maximum of 19 people will be allowed in the lobby at one time. Visitors also will be asked to limit the number of household members to ensure the health and safety of other visitors and staff.
• Income Tax Department on the third floor of City Hall will be open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. It will be open to six visitors at a time per physical distancing guidelines. Visitors will need to check in on the Calder level of City Hall. Appointments will be available 8 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. To schedule an appointment CLICK HERE.

All City Hall visitors – with or without an appointment – will need to check in on the Calder level. Visitors to all City buildings will be encouraged to wear face masks and practice safe physical distancing.

For a complete list of City department and division phase 1 re-entry plans, CLICK HERE.

City staff continue to be available to provide services via email, phone or 311 Customer Service. The City’s website – grandrapidsmi.gov – also offers a wide range of services. 

Original source can be found here.

Source: City of Grand Rapids