Loleta playground reopens to children
Chamber struggles to pay insurance premium for park
After being closed for nearly seven months because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the playground area in the Loleta Community Park is now reopened.
There are posted restrictions that will apply to those who use the playground equipment and the community park, due to the ongoing pandemic.
“The playground reopened on Monday, Oct. 12,” said Janice Simmons, Loleta Chamber of Commerce treasurer. “The restrictions in place apply to everyone using the playground, ages two and older.”
Signs have been posted at both the playground and the outdoor basketball court in the community park. The restrictions are that facial coverings must be worn at all times, maintaining six feet of physical distance from those from outside of household, and keeping playground visits to 30 minutes per day when others are present.
Adult supervision is also required at all times by the state to ensure children are adhering to the new guidelines.
Simmons also mentioned that the insurance premium for the playground increased in cost this year, and that the Chamber of Commerce had to dip into its reserve to pay the premium.
“It increased over $700 from last year,” Simmons said.
She said since COVID-19 prevented the annual Loleta Community Celebration from being held this year, no funds were raised to help cover the insurance premium.
Simmons did say that a donation from the owners of Loleta Realty helped cover the increased insurance premium this year. She is hopeful that others will come forward now and make donations to help cover next year’s insurance premium.
“If we can’t insure the playground, we’ll have to close the playground,” Simmons said, “and we don’t want to do that.”
Anyone interested in making a donation can mail a check to the Loleta Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 327, Loleta, CA 95551.
“If we can’t insure the playground, we’ll have to close the playground and we don’t want to do that.”
— Janice Simmons, Loleta Chamber of Commerce treasurer