Seattle parks open this weekend, but ‘keep it moving’
Apr 17, 2020, 1:39 PM | Updated: Apr 19, 2020, 8:09 am
Parks in Seattle, including Alki Beach, will remain open for exercise, but will be monitored to ensure people are following appropriate social distancing measures. (Photo by Karen Ducey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Karen Ducey/Getty Images)
Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan and the city of Seattle announced new guidelines for the safe use of farmers markets, greenways, and city parks this weekend and beyond.
The “Keep it Moving Guidance,” as its referred to in the release, includes the following:
- Stay Home: Leave only if necessary, and only visit places in your neighborhood.
- Keep it Moving: Walking, running, rolling, and biking are all permitted, but there should be no picnics, BBQs, sports, or gathering at parks.
- Visit at Off Peak: Consider visiting farmers markets, parks, and greenways at off-peak hours whenever possible.
- Crowded Spaces will mean Closed Spaces: If there’s a crowd, go elsewhere. Anywhere with too big a gathering can be closed down.
“The Governor’s order is Stay Home – not stay out. The social distancing necessary to keep us healthy will mean a new normal for Seattle’s parks, farmers markets, and public amenities. Stay home, but if you need to exercise or go to get groceries at the farmers market, please no crowds, no gatherings, and keep it moving,” Durkan said.
Ballard and University District farmers markets are reopening this weekend with additional spacing between booths and limited staffing. The two markets were granted these one-time permits for this weekend “after several conversations with the City in which they demonstrated their ability to ensure vendor and community compliance with necessary social distancing guidelines.”
Major city parks will remain open for exercise this weekend, but residents are encouraged to keep moving and to avoid holding picnics or gathering in groups.
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Additionally, two greenways will be opened on closed streets in West Seattle and the Central District to allow exercise opportunities for local residents, free of cars. The closures will affect roughly 2.5 miles of streets in the Central District and West Seattle, following the lead of cities like Oakland, which recently closed 74 miles of its streets to cars.
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Seattle Parks staff will be monitoring the parks through the weekend and may close them if deemed necessary. The City will also be deploying 60 Social Distancing Ambassadors “to remind people to social distance and not gather.” Parking lots in parks will remain closed to discourage overcrowding.
