Medford Parks, Playgrounds Start Reopening: Rules To Know

MEDFORD, MA — City officials announced over the weekend that some of the city's parks and playgrounds would reopen Monday:

• Barry Park
• Capen Park
• Carr Park
• Cummings Park
• Dugger Park
• Logan Park
• Magoun Park
• McNally Park
• Morrison Park
• Tufts Park

Additional tot lots and playgrounds will undergo minor maintenance over the next several weeks and will be opened for use by groups of 12 people or fewer. Under the state's Reopening Guidelines, the following health and safety requirements will remain in place for all park visitors:

General Park/Playground Use:

• No more than 12 people per location at one time
• If you cannot safely social distance, face coverings should be worn at all time. (Those under the age of 2 do not need to wear face coverings. For those under the age of 5, parents/guardians should use your discretion.)
• While the City will regularly clean and disinfect surfaces, this will not be done on a daily basis. Please use play structures and other common surfaces at your own discretion.
• No shared equipment, toys, etc. are allowed other than existing play structures.
• Organized sports/activities are not permitted until further notice, unless you have been issued a permit from the Parks Department and have signed the appropriate forms.

Permit Holders for Park Use (in part):

• Teams can be no larger than 12, including coaches, volunteers and staff per field or court. Limit any nonessential visitors, spectators, staff, volunteers, and activities as much as possible.
• Organizations must keep an attendance log for each practice.
• Scrimmages, organized games, or tournaments are not permitted. Activities must be limited to no-contact drills and training exercises.
• Players must maintain 6 feet distance at all times and there should be no contact between players.
• Organizers must ensure that participants use their own personal equipment if not provided by the organizer or facility operator. Personal equipment may not be shared and must be dedicated to an individual player throughout the season. Sharing of balls (ex: playing catch) is prohibited.
• Organizers should minimize sharing of other equipment, and clean and disinfect all equipment at the end of a practice session.
• Shared food or drink is not allowed.

For a full list of requirements, visit www.mass.gov/doc/outdoor-adult-sports-supervised-youth-sports-leagues-summer-sports-camps/download.

In order to support businesses that operate indoor programs like fitness studios, dance studios and gyms that cannot currently operate, Medford is offering free park permits to allow some of their programs and services. Allowed operations include but are not limited to yoga, karate, kick boxing, Zumba and dance studios.

This offer is for small businesses operating within the City of Medford that only operate an indoor fitness studio or gym and cannot currently operate, under the Reopening Plan, until Phase III. Businesses that are a part of a corporation or own three or more locations will not be eligible for this program.

Each business will be asked to offer one hour of a free community class for every five hours they receive permits for their business. For more information on eligibility, restrictions, and how to apply, contact the Medford Recreation Department at kbailey@medford-ma.gov. Permits will only be issued for the Condon Shell (2501 Mystic Valley Pkwy) or the field behind the Andrews Middle School (3000 Mystic Valley Pkwy).