LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Thanks to a newly relaxed health order, Los Angeles County recreational amenities such as tennis courts and equestrian centers will reopen today, but wth very specific restrictions.
The county announced a revised health order on Wednesday, allowing more retail businesses to open for curbside pickup, while also opening access to a variety of recreational facilities that have been off limits due to the coronavirus.
The revised order allows the reopening of tennis and pickleball courts, equestrian centers, BMX bike areas, trap and skeet/archery ranges, model airplane facilities and community gardens. County beaches opened on Wednesday, while golf courses and hiking trails opened last week.
“We are delighted to be able to reopen some of our non-contact amenities so the community can safely enjoy the emotional and physical benefits provided by parks,” said Norma E. Garcia, acting director of Los Angeles County Parks. “We remind the public that adherence to guidelines and precautions is critical to safely operate these open facilities and continue to do their part during this transition stage with COVID-19.”
The county parks department issued a series of guidelines for people visiting each of the amenities.
For tennis and pickleball courts:
-- physical distancing of six feet must be maintained at all times;
-- only singles play will be permitted;
-- visitors must bring their own bucket of balls with their initials on each ball, and they will only be permitted to handle their own tennis and pickleball balls;
-- participants will be required to wear face coverings at all times, except during play;
-- visitors should bring water and hand sanitizer or disinfecting wipes to wash and sanitize hands frequently;
-- a maximum of one-hour play will be allowed on heavy traffic days;
-- private lessons will be allowed only using proper physical distancing techniques, and both the student and instructor will be required to wear face coverings, and no lessons involving two or more students are allowed; and
-- payment of any fees shall be done online and/or utilizing an outdoor facing window or door.
For equestrian centers:
-- physical distancing of six feet is required at all times;
-- face coverings are required at all times while in the common areas, including parking lots and stables;
-- face masks are not required during riding so long as physical distancing is maintained;
-- facility operators and staff shall wear a face covering and gloves at all times;
-- rides (horse string) will be a single file and a maximum of four riders at a time while practicing physical distancing during trail use;
-- private horse lessons will require proper physical distancing, and both instructors and students must wear face coverings at all times;
-- lessons shall be a maximum of two participants at a time and conducted in a round pen large enough to allow for physical distancing during lessons;
-- only one horse and one boarder will be allowed within the wash racks at a time;
-- all boarders must use their own wash rack supplies, and hoses will be sanitized regularly; and
-- payment of any fees shall be done online and/or utilizing an outdoor facing window or door.
For BMX bike areas:
-- physical distancing of six feet is required at all times;
-- face coverings will be required at all times;
-- facility operators must ensure that the entrance to facilities are single file and allow for six-foot distance between participants;
-- no rentals will be offered;
-- private lessons will be allowed while practicing physical distancing, with no more than two people;
-- no tournaments will be allowed;
-- doors, entrances and gates shall remain open;
-- payment of fees shall be done online and/or utilizing an outdoor facing window or door; and
-- food and beverage will be grab-and-go only.
For archery, trap and skeet, and outdoor shooting ranges:
-- face coverings will be required at all times;
-- physical distancing of six feet is required at all times;
-- facility operators must place delineators at sports stations to create a six-foot distance between participants;
-- no rentals will be offered;
-- safety equipment must be disposable;
-- private lessons will be allowed while practicing physical distancing, with no more than two people;
-- no tournaments will be allowed;
-- doors, entrances, and/or gates shall remain open;
-- payment of fees shall be done online and/or utilizing an outdoor facing window or door; and
-- food and beverage will be grab and go only.
For model airplane areas:
-- physical distancing of six feet is required at all times;
-- face coverings are required at all times;
-- no group gatherings are allowed;
-- no tournaments are allowed; and
-- participants may only touch and handle their own model airplanes and gear.
For community gardens:
-- face coverings are required at all times;
-- physical distancing of six feet is required at all times;
-- volunteer events will not be allowed to avoid group gatherings;
-- maximum number of participants in the garden at one time shall be determined by the size of the community garden and the number of plots;
-- visitors should bring hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes, or a Ziploc bag with soapy water and a washcloth, washing hands before and after visiting the garden;
-- gloves are required while conducting gardening, including while handling tools and equipment; and
-- visitors must remove all personal items and trash before leaving the garden.