UPDATE: 1 p.m.
The Kamloops-Thompson School District is following suit and closing all of its play structures, effective immediately.
Closure signage is being installed in the next few days at the play structures, notes a news release, at elementary schools throughout the district.
The fields and play courts on school grounds are not closed.
Social distancing signage will also be going up. If social distancing is not being followed, the district says it may close its playfields and courts down the road.
ORIGINAL: 11:40 a.m.
In an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 and ensure social distancing rules are being followed, the City of Kamloops is closing all city-run play structures and installing social distancing signage at all city parks, skate parks, dog parks and courts.
According to a news release, the changes go into effect immediately.
"Closure signage is being installed today at 46 play structures including Riverside Park, Campbell Creek Park, Brocklehurst Park, Westmount Park, Albert McGowan Park, Tournament Capital Ranch, Stuart Wood, McArthur Island all city-run tot lots," reads the release.
The fields at these playgrounds are not closed, only the play structures.
The city says bylaw officers will be closely monitoring social distancing at all city parks and public gathering areas.
"Social distancing is not optional," said Mayor Ken Christian in a statement. "We are taking these steps to limit groups from congregating and to protect our residents."
If social distancing practices are not being adhered to, the city may close other public gathering areas in the near future.
The play structure closures include:
Aberdeen Hills Park |
1245 Howe Road |
Albert McGowan Park |
2025 Summit Drive |
Allan Powers Park |
330 Centre Avenue |
Batchelor Natural Area Park |
1750 Batchelor Drive |
Belmont Tot Lot |
709 Cumberland Avenue |
Bogetti Park |
5308 Bogetti Place |
Brocklehurst Park |
2470 Fleetwood Avenue |
Cambridge Tot Lot |
637 Cambridge Crescent |
Cammeray Tot Lot |
4705 Cammer Drive |
Campbell Creek Tot Lot |
8701 Dallas Drive |
Connaught Tot Lot |
225 Connaught Road |
Dominion Tot Lot |
1355 Dominion Crescent |
Edgemount Tot Lot |
2235 Edgemount Avenue |
Glen Nevis Tot Lot |
818 Gleneagles Drive |
Hook Tot Lot |
1545 Collingwood Drive |
Invermere Tot Lot |
845 Invermere Court |
Juniper Park |
2150 Qu'Appelle Boulevard |
Kinsmen North Tot Lot |
605 Comox Avenue |
Kinsmen South Tot Lot |
975 Pleasant Street |
Len Haughton Park |
595 Lister Road |
McArthur Island Exercise Workstations (3) |
1525 Island Parkway |
McArthur Island Playground |
1525 Island Parkway |
McDonald Park |
252 King Street |
McIntosh Park |
502 Battle Street West |
Moose Tot Lot |
385 Schubert Drive |
Pineview Valley Park |
1925 Hugh Allan Drive |
Prince Charles Park |
1145 Nicola Street |
Rainbow Tot Lot |
670 McCurrach Place |
Richmond Tot Lot |
601 Richmond Avenue |
Riverside Park Heritage |
100 Lorne Street |
Riverside Park Saturn |
100 Lorne Street |
Riverside Park West End |
100 Lorne Street |
Saddleback Park |
2110 Grasslands Boulevard |
Sherbrooke Tot Lot |
1034 Sherbrooke Avenue |
Sifton Tot Lot |
2046 Sifton Avenue |
Southview Tot Lot |
1564 Southview Terrace |
Spartan Tot Lot |
1610 Spartan Place |
Stuart Wood School |
245 St. Paul Street |
Thompson Park |
6500 Beaver Crescent |
Todd Hill Park |
1550 Todd Road |
Tournament Capital Ranch Playground |
5355 Yellowhead Highway |
Valleyview Centennial Park |
2288 Park Drive |
Westmount Park |
540 Collingwood Drive |
Westsyde Centennial Park |
705 Franklin Road |
Skate parks, dog parks and courts remain open at this time, "as long as people do not congregate," Christian tells KamloopsMatters in an email.
Somewhat somber to watch the swings get taped off. The playgrounds are closed in #Kamloops. pic.twitter.com/8dBeQ0ibDX
— Brendan Kergin ?? (@BKergin) March 23, 2020