Greenwich Point slated to reopen
GREENWICH — It’s the news Greenwich residents have been waiting to hear for nearly six weeks: Greenwich Point will be reopening soon.
The beach will remain closed, as will the picnic and grill areas. But Greenwich Point will again be open for walking, running and bicycling during limited hours as part of the town’s ongoing effort to reopen park areas, First Selectman Fred Camillo announced Friday.
Starting May 7, Greenwich Point will be open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The restrooms will also remain closed as the town continues to enforce social-distancing measures to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.
Maps, new signs and rules will be posted at the park before it reopens. The goal is for residents to enjoy the outdoors as the weather warms, but to do so in orderly fashion — with visitors walking in the same direction to practice social and physical distancing, Camillo said.
Greenwich Point has been closed since March 22 when, despite several public warnings from Camillo, visitors did not practice social distancing and there was a surge of more than 8,500 residents at the beach in one day.
Camillo said steps will be taken to prevent that from happening again, including limiting the capacity at Greenwich Point to 500 cars and encouraging people to stay no more than two hours so others can use the area.
Greenwich police officers and Parks and Recreation Department staff will be on hand to monitor the area and make sure people are following protocols.
“We have a plan in place that I think will allow for our residents to access the parks, enjoy them and do it in a safe manner,” Camillo said. “We don’t anticipate any issues but we will have our monitors there to make sure everything runs smoothly.”
People will be allowed to walk on the sand at the beach, but Camillo said they will not be allowed in the water or to lie on a towel.
May 7 will also be the official opening for Byram Park for daily use from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. A maximum of 150 cars will be allowed into the park. The pool and playground will remain closed, and visitors will not have access to the beach.
Byram Park has been open for people to use as a walking trail.
Daily passes will not be honored. Visitors will need either their 2019 or 2020 beach cards, or a state-issued ID or driver’s license with a Greenwich address to enter Greenwich Point and Byram Park.
Beginning Monday, Cos Cob Park will reopen from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. Monitors will be on hand to limit access so social distancing can be practiced. Only limited handicapped parking will be available at the park, with everyone else using the nearby Cos Cob Train Station.
Like Byram and Old Greenwich, there will be no access to Cos Cob Park’s playgrounds, playing field, pavilion, benches or restrooms.
Camillo also had good news for people seeking access to town marinas. Limited access began on Thursday, but people can launch their vessels starting on May 7. Byram, Cos Cob, Grass Island and Old Greenwich Marinas will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily for people to work on their boats in storage and launch them into the water.
Restrooms at the marinas will remain closed.
Camillo warned if protocols are not followed, facilities could close again. People are urged to wear masks or facial coverings while at the beaches, parks and marinas and while at the municipal golf course, which open for limited hours on Monday.
Increase in coronavirus patients
On Thursday, Greenwich Hospital COO Diane Kelly warned that there would be days of decreases in the number of coronavirus patients followed by increases. And on Friday, there was a small increase in the number of coronavirus patients in town.
Greenwich Hospital reported Friday that 71 patients have been hospitalized with the coronavirus, an increase of two from Thursday.
The town Department of Health also is reporting an uptick in the number of new diagnosed cases in town. On Friday, 682 residents had tested positive for the coronavirus, up six from Thursday after an increase of three from Wednesday.
Also, the state reported that as of Thursday, the number of diagnosed coronavirus patients in Greenwich who have died was up to 37.
Greenwich Hospital has once again seen an increase in discharges. As of Friday, that number was up to 373, an increase of sixfrom Thursday.