Sun Sentinel Broward Edition

Cities are setting their own schedules for when to reopen their outdoor destinatio­ns.

- By Lisa J. Huriash

Many parks, golf courses and marinas have opened across South Florida — and Gov. Ron DeSantis called it the right move Wednesday to open these destinatio­ns to the public.

Many cities are setting their own schedules for when to reopen parks. Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties on Wednesday opened their outdoor spaces with social-distancing rules. Most cities followed the counties’ plans while other communitie­s pushed back and decided to go by their own rules.

Here is what some communitie­s are planning:

Broward County: The gates to Broward’s regional parks swung open Wednesday. But some parks are being used for other purposes so they remained closed for recreation: Quiet Waters Park in Deerfield Beach, C.B. Smith Park in Pembroke Pines and Central Broward Park in Lauderhill. Quiet Waters is being used for food distributi­on while C.B. Smith served as a COVID-19 drive-thru testing site.

Park visitors who don’t follow social-distancing rules may face fines — “depending on what they did,” Mayor Dale Holness said.

Coconut Creek: The city posted on its website that the walkways at eight parks are now open. Nine other parks remain closed.

Cooper City: The city posted on its website that “select” cityowned parks are now open. “We opened many of our passive parks today and will open the rest as we receive additional signs and material to adequately restrict the use of playground­s and other equipment,” said City Manager Joseph Napoli. “However, we did not open the basketball or tennis courts in the parks yet. We anticipate doing that next week providing there are no issues with what we have opened so far.”

Coral Springs: The city is following the county’s rules, deciding to reopen parks Wednesday.

Dania Beach: Parks opened Wednesday.

Davie: Parks will stay closed until further notice.

Deerfield Beach: The city reopened parks Wednesday.

Fort Lauderdale: The two city golf courses opened Wednesday. So did parks, although the restrooms will stay locked at city parks even though they’ll be open at county parks.

Hallandale Beach: Beginning Thursday, the city says residents can enjoy the reopened parks for walking or jogging, with restrictio­ns. Patrons will be required to ‘keep moving.’ The parks’ parking lots will remain closed. The city marina will reopen for boat owner access only. Guests are prohibited. The Hallandale Beach cemetery will reopen for fam

ily visitation­s.

Hillsboro Beach: The town doesn’t have any public parks, but is following county guidelines that allow pools in multi-family developmen­ts to go back to business.

“Our big issue has been condo pools, as we have an elderly population that has a need for aquatic therapy,” said City Manager Mac Serda. “In many cases the elder residents are unable to walk for exercise, and the pool provides the only means for physical activity.”

Hollywood: Hollywood says it wants to be sure it’s safe to reopen, and there’s no date yet for its parks and three golf courses to be unlocked.

“Time is on our side [in] staying closed for a handful of days longer,” said Mayor Josh Levy. “Days matter according to our medical director. Another six or seven days time for example gives you that much more time for the virus projectory to evidence itself as going downward, an extra week gives us that.”

City spokeswoma­n Joann Hussey said parks could open beginning May 6 — “if the data we are monitoring continues with the downward trend. Nothing is set in stone at this point, but May 6 is the day we are aiming for.”

Lauderdale-by-the-Sea: The town never closed its parks for passive use.

Lauderdale Lakes: A city spokeswoma­n said the parks will not reopen.

Lauderhill: The city said neither parks nor the cityrun golf course would open. No date for reopening was yet available. “We don’t think the spread of the virus is under control,” said Lauderhill Mayor Ken Thurston, saying there are 27 people in the city as of last week had the virus.

Lighthouse Point: The city has reopened the parks.

Margate: The city opened its parks Wednesday afternoon.

Miramar: Parks will remain closed until further notice.

North Lauderdale: City officials said they need more time to make signs explaining the social-distancing rules and “if you can’t social distance, you will need a mask,” said spokesman Mike Sargis. Hampton Pines Park will open Saturday, and the others are expected to be unlocked May 4.

Oakland Park: Certain parks will open for passive use Thursday while other parks will stay closed. The parks may be used for walking/jogging, biking and personal boat and kayak launch. All other activities will be prohibited. “Please practice social/physical distancing, wear face masks while in public spaces and help us ‘Keep it Moving’ on our paths,” the city’s website says. The website lists the parks that are opening and those staying closed.

Parkland: Parkland reopened the parks Wednesday, as well as its golf course. It’s the second round of reopening: Parkland Golf & Country Club was open for two full days before being ordered closed at the end of the day April 21, said city spokesman Todd DeAngelis.

“We opened it on a trial basis then closed it because we wanted to be in sync with the County Administra­tor,” he said.

Pembroke Pines: Pembroke Pines noticed how neighborin­g Miramar and Hollywood aren’t opening parks right away. And because of that, Pembroke Pines will stay closed for now, said Mayor Frank Ortis.

“I want to make sure it’s for Pines residents,” Ortis said of the city parks. If the other cities aren’t going to open parks then the crowds will come to Pembroke Pines and “I can’t control it. People will slam into the parks and I can’t have that.”

Pompano Beach: The city has opened the parks.

Sunrise: The city never closed its parks for passive use.

Southwest Ranches: The town has opened the parks.

Tamarac: Parks reopened Wednesday, and the city’s golf course will open Thursday.

Weston: The city has opened the passive parks. However, there are three parks that have not yet reopened: Regional Park, Tequesta Trace Park and Vista Park.

Wilton Manors: Parks will open Monday. “This is giving us additional time to finalize policies, signage and staff training,” said Leigh Ann Henderson, city manager.

Palm Beach County: Palm Beach County opened its regional parks, but will require the public to stick to keeping apart to keep safe from the spread of the new coronaviru­s. “There will be stiff penalties if people don’t abide by rules,” said Palm Beach County Mayor Dave Kerner. Violators can be arrested and charged with a second-degree misdemeano­r.

Boca Raton: The city has opened the parks.

Boynton Beach: The city opened its boat ramp Wednesday and city parks will open Friday. The one municipal course opens Monday.

Delray Beach: The city has opened the parks.

West Palm Beach: The city’s 55 parks remained open for walking. Boat ramps at Lake Mangonia and Currie Park are expected to open next week. City tennis and racquetbal­l courts are scheduled to reopen Tuesday.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States