Most Greater Victoria playgrounds reopening

After a long 21⁄2 months, the sound of children’s laughter is about to echo from Greater Victoria’s playgrounds again.

All three school districts and most municipalities have either reopened their playgrounds or plan to do so this week as pandemic-related restrictions ease. • The municipality of Saanich will begin reopening its 56 playgrounds today. Year-round public washrooms with running water are open with more frequent cleaning protocols in place. • If city council approves a staff report Thursday, Victoria’s 40 playgrounds, nine basketball courts, five outdoor fitness pods, its lacrosse box and its spray parks will open Friday.

The city will also begin taking bookings for its 31 playing fields, though user groups will have to submit plans for doing so safely. • The Saanich school district began pulling down the caution tape Monday and will continue to do so over the next few days. • The Greater Victoria school district will allow access to playgrounds and basketball, tennis and tetherball courts Friday. Playing fields will continue to remain open for casual, informal use, but not for organized sports. • Esquimalt will open its playgrounds today, though the popular splash pad at the Esquimalt Adventure Park will remain dry until later in the summer. • Sidney opened playgrounds at Tulista Park and Iroquois Park on Monday, with others to follow. The water spray park in Iroquois Park and the community wellness park next to the library remain closed for now. • The Sooke school district, Langford, Colwood and Sooke opened their playgrounds Thursday. • View Royal has opened several playgrounds, tennis courts and basketball courts, though baseball fields and water fountains remain closed.

• Oak Bay’s playgrounds, tennis courts, lacrosse box, skate park and pickleball courts are open. • Central Saanich’s playgrounds are to open by Friday. Tennis, pickleball and basketball courts are open. • Playgrounds in Capital Regional District-managed parks have also opened. The CRD-operated Panorama Recreation Centre is allowing access to outdoor facilities such as tennis courts, basketball courts and outdoor fitness and yoga classes. The weight room will be open June 10 but spots must be booked online in advance.

Because courts and playground equipment will not be cleaned or disinfected, those who operate them are urging the public to follow physical-distancing guidelines and to ensure children clean their hands before and after use.

They are also asked to limit their time in the playgrounds if others are waiting, and to stay away altogether if sick.