Partial Reopening of Some Park Amenities on May 22
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — In March 2020, the City of Fayetteville closed many of the amenities in its parks in response to numerous complaints from residents about large groups congregating and failing to practice social distancing. Reduced group sizes and maintaining a distance of at least six feet are practices that have been recommended by recognized global and national health organizations as tactics for slowing the spread of COVID-19.
In response to community request and in alignment with the state of Arkansas’s phased approach and guidance for reopening businesses and other activities, the City announced today that access to some park amenities will be reinstated.
Effective Friday, May 22, the following amenities will be reopened with certain guidelines and limitations in effect until further notice:
Wilson Park Tennis Courts
Open for singles play only. Courts are reserved from 7 to 8:30 a.m. for senior citizen use (ages 65 and older). Signs are posted with social distancing guidelines that should be maintained while using tennis courts.
Walker Park Tennis Courts, Batting Cages, Handball/Racquetball Court, Horseshoe Pits and Skate Park
Signs are posted with social distancing guidelines that should be maintained during use of these amenities.
Additional use guidelines for Walker Park amenities include:
- Tennis Courts: Open for singles play only. Courts are reserved from 7 to 8:30 a.m. for senior citizen use (ages 65 and older)
- Batting Cages: only two people permitted per batting cage
Bryce Davis Iams Dog Park
Signs are posted with social distancing guidelines that should be maintained while using the dog park.
Lake Fayetteville Marina and Lake Sequoyah Marina
Signs are posted with social distancing guidelines and spacing markers that should be maintained on docks and in the bait shop. Customers should wear face coverings in the bait shop. Sneeze guards are installed at public counters, and hand sanitizer is available for public use. Staff and contractors must wear face coverings when working with customers. The bait shop will admit only one person at a time. Symptomatic persons will not be admitted to the bait shop.
Additionally, the City will continue its waiver of fishing permit fees for City lakes until further notice.
White River Batting Cages
Signs are posted with social distancing guidelines that should be maintained while using the cages. Only two people permitted per batting cage.
City of Fayetteville Mayor Lioneld Jordan shared a reminder to residents and visitors to remain vigilant about preventing the spread of COVID-19 as more locations across the community begin to reopen to the public.
“I know so many people in Fayetteville are anxious to start enjoying everything our parks have to offer,” Jordan said. “We are beginning to slowly and thoughtfully reopen park amenities over time, and I urge everyone to stay vigilant about protecting themselves and others from COVID-19. We are not through this pandemic yet. Please wear a mask when you are visiting public places, especially if it’s difficult to maintain social distancing. Wash or sanitize your hands often. If you have symptoms, please stay home and contact your health care provider. Let’s keep working together to drive down case numbers and keep our community healthy.”
The City will continue taking a cautious and slow approach to reopening amenities and city-owned facilities, with decisions based on daily analysis of current COVID-19 information and Fayetteville’s unique needs.
Please check the City’swww.fayetteville-ar.gov/covid19web page to keep up-to-date on announcements and information for Fayetteville residents and businesses.