Broward County’s parks, marinas and golf courses are open. Here are the rules
Parks, marinas and golf courses across South Florida have re-opened just in time for Mother’s Day — and there are lot of new rules to remember.
Many of the new rules issued by Miami-Dade and Broward County are similar, but there are some differences. You’ll also want to check with your city before leaving the house because not every park or recreational area will be open. Several cities in Broward, including Hollywood and Pembroke Pines, are keeping their parks closed for now.
Wednesday’s limited reopening happened on the same day Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a loosening of his statewide stay-at-home-order so businesses could re-open with restrictions Monday. This first phase of Florida’s reopening plan does not currently include Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach County, which make up for more than half of the state’s total confirmed COVID-19 cases.
But, local officials hope the reopening of parks, marinas and golf courses will help residents get some fresh air and sunshine while keeping the risk of spreading COVID-19 low.
If you’re thinking of visiting the park, taking your boat out for the day or playing a round of golf at your local course, here are the new rules you need to know about in Broward County:
What you can and can’t do at Broward County Parks
▪ Parks and natural areas are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with nature center grounds and neighborhood parks open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
▪ Everyone must have a mask or face covering on but will only need to wear it if they are within six feet of another person, according to the county’s order.
What is allowed:
▪ Broward County says the parks can be used for “passive” activities. This includes walking, hiking, biking, jogging, personal boat launching, mountain biking, disc golf, fishing and horseback riding, as applicable and otherwise permitted in select parks. The county’s mountain bike trail at Markham Park, 16001 W. State Rd. 84 in Sunrise, will also be limited to current passholders and will exclude lessons.
▪ At tennis courts and pickle ball courts, up to two people can be on the court any one time. This means you can only play single tennis games but not doubles. Disc golf courses are also limited to singles play.
▪ While you can still shoot hoops, basketball courts are limited for individual use only which means you can’t play with others or participate in pick-up games, with the exception of games such as “horse.” Only one person is also allowed on the racketball courts at a time.
▪ Everyone must follow CDC social distancing guidelines, which means you must stay at least six feet from other people at all times. And if you’re planning on fishing, make sure you’re standing at least 10 feet away from other people. Groups of up to 10 people must stay at least 50 feet away from others. Broward County’s orders did not specify if the social distancing rule would apply to families.
▪ Limited restrooms will be available for use. The restrooms that are open will have signs reminding people to follow social distancing and personal hygiene guidelines. Depending on the restroom’s size, one to three people will be allowed in at a time, a county spokesman said. The restrooms will also be sanitized frequently.
Here’s what you can’t do at parks and other recreational facilities:
▪ Groups of 10 or more cannot gather.
▪ You cannot use playgrounds or other play areas, campgrounds, pools, concession stands, outdoor exercise equipment and exercise courts, excluding the courts previously mentioned. You also can not participate in any organized athletic leagues, game, races, practices, tournaments, recreation programs or events.
▪ You also can’t use dog parks, batting cages, AllGolf, boat rentals, cricket fields, football and soccer fields, softball and baseball fields, volleyball areas and other sports fields.
For a full list of park facility and amenity closures and prohibitions visit https://webapps6.broward.org/newsrelease/View.aspx?intMessageId=12202.
Marinas, boat launches, charter vessels, fishing and on-water activities
▪ Boat ramps can be open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily but hours may vary by location.
▪ Everyone, including staff, is required to use personal protective equipment, including but not limited to masks or face coverings and gloves when at marinas, boat docks, ramps and other launching venues.
▪ Only one boat per launch ramp is allowed at a time. No more than 10 people are allowed to be at a boat launch, be on a boat while out on the water or when removing the boat from the water.
There are also boat capacities:
▪ Boats 25 feet or less can have a maximum of six people on board. Up to four of the people can be adults. The others must be children who are 17 and under.
▪ Boats between 26 and 36 feet can have a maximum of eight people on board. Up to six of the people can be adults. The others must be children who are 17 and under.
▪ Boats between 36 and 60 feet can have a maximum of 10 people on board. Up to eight of the people can be adults. The others must be children who are 17 and under.
▪ Boats greater than 60 feet can have a maximum of 10 passengers on board, including adults and children. The county’s order did not specify how many crew members could be allowed on board.
Fishing, ship stores and restrooms
▪ If you are fishing, you must stay at least 10 feet away from other people while on the pier. Only one person is allowed to be at a fish cleaning station at a time. Proper cleaning and sanitation processes must be followed.
▪ Everyone must wear masks or a face covering and stay at least six feet away from others inside bait and tackle stores. This includes customers and staff. Public restrooms will be open, per CDC guidelines.
On-water activities and rentals for jet skis, canoes, kayaks and paddle boards:
▪ All boats must stay at least 50 feet away from each other once in the water.
▪ Rafting up boats, which includes roping or tying boats together is prohibited. So is beaching, landing or anchoring boats on sandbars, islands or open shorelines.
▪ Jet ski rentals are limited to single riders only. Canoes, kayaks and paddle board rentals are allowed for up to two riders if they live in the same household. If not, the rentals are for single riders only.
Charter vessels
▪ Captain, crew members and passengers must wear masks or face coverings on shore and on the boat if they can not follow social distancing guidelines. Remember, you need to stay at least six feet away from others.
▪ Drift fishing boats must use tape or other floor markings on seats, railings and the deck to help passengers follow social distancing. Anyone who plans to fish while on the boat must bring their own fishing pole, tackle and other equipment. Equipment sharing or renting is prohibited.
▪ Only one person is allowed to be at a fish cleaning and bait table station a time. This rule also applies to crew members who are filleting or otherwise handling any fish caught by a passenger. The stations must also be cleaned and disinfected between each charter.
▪ Six-pack vessels can only have up to four passengers on board and must follow all CDC guidelines.
Golf courses re-open with new rules after COVID-19
▪ Staff and players are required to wear a facial covering — either a mask or fabric that covers your mouth and nose — at all times. Everyone is also required to follow social distancing guidelines, which means you need to stay at least six feet away from others.
▪ Players must bring their own golf equipment. Golf course staff will not be transporting any clubs or other equipment for you, except as required by the ADA. Locker rooms and bag storage usage will also be temporarily suspended.
▪ All players must stay at least six feet away from others at all times. A course ranger or other staff member will be present on the course to ensure that social distancing measures are being followed.
▪ Each cart and any rental equipment used must be cleaned and disinfected prior to any players usage. Disinfectant wipes must also be provided to any player prior to them using the cart. Only one player will be allowed per cart, unless they live in the same home.
▪ Driving-range hitting areas will be spaced at least 10 feet apart.
▪ All sand containers, scorecards, pencils, tees, towels, coolers and other shared materials must be removed from golf carts after each use. Scorecard, pencils and tees will only be provided to players who request it upon arrival The items must then be discarded once the player is finished using it.
▪ Rakes in all bunkers will be removed, along with all water stations, ball wash units, practice facility bag stands, chairs and PVC pipes for picking up balls. All range balls must be cleaned with water and soap after every pick-up prior to making them available for use by the next golfer.
▪ Players are not allowed to touch or remove the flagstick from the cup. If you notice that your ball is not going into the hole, don’t worry, it’s not you. The golf course is required to lift the cup an inch above ground or use a pool noodle or blocking mechanism to fill the hole and prevent the ball from going into it if a touchless golf ball retrieval system is not being used.
▪ Signs with social distancing and face covering guidelines must be placed outside the pro shop and clubhouse. Signs must also be placed on carts and around the clubhouse with a phone number to call for food orders, along with payment information. Restaurants will only be open for take-out and seating areas will be closed.
▪ All clubhouse facilities, except restrooms, will be closed. Only one person can use the bathroom at a time. The individual must also use the disinfectant wipes that will be provided to wipe down everything they touched before exiting.
▪ Pro shops will be pickup only and will require customers to pay at the front door while following social distancing guidelines.
▪ Players will not be allowed to touch anything on the beverage cart, which will be managed by staff wearing facial coverings and gloves at all times.
This story was originally published May 1, 2020 at 7:45 AM.
