Phoenix City Council Reopens Parks & Recreation Facilities

PHOENIX, AZ — The Phoenix City Council voted to reopen outdoor recreational spaces on Tuesday for the first time in three months.

The council also allows parks to resume athletic field reservations and local tournaments later this month.

The council also approved additional restrictions for Easter weekend at the beginning of April for parks across the city.

City-owned pools, meanwhile, can reopen during Memorial Day weekend at the end of May.

Mayor Kate Gallego said in the city's release that the council's decision reflects the region's progress in abating the COVID-19 pandemic.

The mayor, who was recently re-elected, cautioned that any progress could be undone if people let their guard down and don't take the pandemic seriously.

"Today, with the decision to cautiously and carefully return to play, we are again following what the science is telling us," Gallego said in a statement. "Yet, while we want our residents, especially children, to get out into the fresh air, we need to remember that the pandemic is not over.

"I encourage every individual to stay vigilant and take safety precautions including masks and physical distancing."

The process to reopen city-owned ramadas, picnic tables, basketball and volleyball courts, in addition to fitness equipment and sports complexes began on Wednesday.

Other city-owned facilities, such as golf courses, hiking trails and city parks have been open with normal operating hours since Oct. 8.

Sports tournaments and field reservations can resume on March 22, with both being paused since Dec. 3.

Any sports teams or organizations using the city-owned park facilities must follow safety procedures, with coaches and officials wearing face coverings, while maintaining six feet of distance between the field and spectators, and an on-site person that's working with city staff.

During Easter weekend, all parking lots at city parks will remained closed and grilling and large gatherings will be prohibited to prevent mass gatherings that could spread the virus, the release said.

City Council District 7 member Michael Nowakowski expressed support for reopening park spaces in a statement on Tuesday.

“Today, the city took a big step back to normalcy, by fully reopening city parks effective tomorrow," Nowakowski's statement said. "Residents will again have access to ramadas, picnic tables, sports courts and complexes and fitness equipment citywide. Athletic field reservations and local tournaments at city facilities will also be able to resume on March 22 with safety precautions and procedures in place."

Meanwhile, City Council District 6 member Sal DiCiccio said in a statement that Tuesday's announcement achieves a huge milestone in Phoenix's return to pre-pandemic normalcy.

"I am very grateful to the Phoenix Parks Department and my colleagues on the City Council for reopening outdoor parks amenities for local families and kids," DiCiccio's statement said. "I would love to have seen us extend the opportunity to out-of-state teams, like other cities across the Valley already have, but the most important thing is that our kids here now have a chance to get back out there and play."