Parks and Recreation Update: Summer day camps cancelled, pools closed for summer

Research from throughout the industry and talking with other park and camp professionals, attending webinars and reviewing recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and other organizations about opening during the pandemic along with many other factors were considered before making these decisions to keep pools and day camps closed. Ultimately, the need to maintain 6 feet of distance between participants and to keep shared surfaces sanitized after every use — for example pool ladders —becomes extremely difficult, if not unattainable.

“After carefully evaluating the available information, it became apparent that it is not feasible to open pools or operate day camps within the proposed guidelines while assuring the health and well-being of our visitors, staff and the broader community,” said City Parks and Recreation Manager Colin Smith.

All day camp and outdoor pool registrations will be fully refunded.

“Staff will look for new opportunities to connect with the community, both virtually and in person when feasible, throughout the summer,” Smith said. “We all look forward to the 2021 summer when we hope to welcome back many returning campers and welcome new ones.”

While some offerings remain closed, other park amenities and recreation facilities have begun reopening as allowed by the State of Michigan Stay Home, Stay Safe Executive Order with physical distancing and other restrictions in place. A partial list follows noting the status of certain city park facilities, programs and amenities; see HERE for complete details.

• The Ann Arbor Farmers Market reopened Saturday, May 9, to provide customers the ability to preorder essential food and other permitted items. The market plans to resume on-site sales Wednesday, May 20, with restrictions in place. The number of vendor stalls, for instance, will be limited to manage physical distancing requirements. Signage informs customers how to shop under these new guidelines. Visit www.a2gov.org/market for complete details.
• Huron Hills and Leslie Park golf courses opened for play Friday, May 1. Tee times must be reserved and paid for online. The clubhouses remain closed. Golf carts are available on a limited basis. Visit www.a2golf.org for complete details.
• Limited use of the basketball courts, such as shooting baskets individually or with members of the same household, is allowed as of Friday, May 8. No team game play is allowed. Likewise, athletic fields are also closed for organized team sports such as baseball, softball, soccer and lacrosse. Members of a same household only, however, may use fields for recreational activities.
• Tennis courts across the park system have reopened as of Friday, May 8. Tennis and pickleball play resumes with physical distancing requirements, but no doubles play is allowed.
• Disc golf and dog parks reopened May 8, with physical distancing required among dog owners and disc golfers and other restrictions in place.
• Playgrounds, park shelters and pavilions remain closed. Staff will continue to evaluate the use of these amenities as physical distancing guidelines and CDC recommendations are updated and when the stay-at-home order is lifted or amended.
• The Ann Arbor Skatepark remains closed. Staff will continue to evaluate the use of this popular park as physical distancing guidelines and CDC recommendations are updated and when the stay-at-home order is lifted or amended.
• While Argo and Gallup canoe liveries remain closed, staff is working on adapting operations to be able to offer boat rental opportunities to the public when permitted by the State of Michigan.
• The Ann Arbor Senior Center remains closed. The city has remained connected with the community via weekly newsletters including links to online games and activities that typically happen at the senior center and other resources.
• City outdoor pools at Buhr, Fuller and Veterans Memorial parks will not open for the 2020 season.
• Summer day camp at Argo, Buhr, Fuller, and Gallup is cancelled for the 2020 season.