Dozens of Miami city parks set to reopen after months of closure during pandemic
Miami plans to reopen more than 100 parks inside city limits on Sept. 28 after months of closure during the COVID-19 pandemic. The city will also lift certain restrictions on team sports and other park activities.
An internal memo confirmed the city’s plan for reopening as the number of COVID-19 cases in Miami-Dade continues to slowly decline. Officials are expected to make an announcement this week.
Since May, fewer than 30 of Miami’s city parks have been open for limited use. Dozens of small parks across the city remained closed over concerns there would not be enough room to allow people to keep proper social distance from each other to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, Domino Park and Billy Rolle Park will not reopen yet.
The city will reopen most of the city’s 148 parks from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. People can play racquetball and tennis with no restrictions. Up to three basketball players can play on each half court, and each player must have their own ball. Volleyball courts, playgrounds, outdoor fitness equipment and park restrooms will remain closed.
According to a city memo, Miami administrators still believe programming for seniors and people with disabilities should remain virtual out of caution.
“Participation in current programs is strong and provides a recreation outlet in a safe format,” reads the memo.
Certain organized activities will be allowed with a permit, such as fitness classes, and drill routines for team sports. Informal pickup games, barbecues and birthday parties will still be prohibited.
The parks reopening comes after Gov. Ron DeSantis announced South Florida would move into Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan. Miami-Dade County officials could soon open movie theaters, entertainment venues and arcades at 50% capacity.
The Phase 2 designation also allows the reopening of bars, but Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez has said the county is not prepared to reopen bars or nightclubs. During multiple media appearances last week, Gimenez suggested the county might not reopen such nightlife establishments until there is a COVID-19 vaccine because they don’t allow for social distancing.
This week in a Radio Mambí interview, the county mayor and congressional candidate shifted his stance. He said bars could reopen in “two, three, four weeks ... it could be a month or two.” His statements on waiting longer for bar reopenings had sparked outcry from nightlife businesses in Miami-Dade.
