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Orangeville shuts down community playgrounds, fields and parks

April 3, 2020   ·   0 Comments

By Mike Baker

In its latest move to contain the spread of COVID-19, the Town of Orangeville has shut down most of its public recreation areas, and are preparing to fine local residents who ignore those closures. 

Signage, caution tape or barricades have been put in place in several locations to provide notice that many Town-owned amenities around town have been closed as the municipality continues to tackle the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. 

All local playgrounds, including play structures, swings, teeter-totters, benches, slides and climbers have been closed. Skateparks, playfields, multi-purpose paved courts, splash pad areas, tennis courts and pergolas, picnic shelters and shade structures have also been shut down for the foreseeable future. 

Fines can be issued for non-compliance, the Town has warned. Ignoring the closures is a violation under the Trespass to Property act. The press release highlights an incident that occurred on March 20, when a group of youths who had gathered at a local skatepark refused to leave once confronted by Town staff. \Orangeville Police had to become involved in the situation, which, eventually, resulted in the youths vacating the skatepark.

Coun. Todd Taylor commented on the incident on social media, expressing his disappointment that some residents would display “such selfish behaviour”. 

“Today, I learned that kids are skateboarding at Rotary Park. They have been verbally abusive to Town staff when asked to leave. The police have been to the park and dispersed the situation. Yet, the young people keep coming back,” Coun. Taylor wrote. “What don’t people understand? I implore our residents. Please do what is asked of you. Stay in your homes. Isolate yourselves.”

It has been noted that, while the preference is to educate violators, police can enforce the closures by issuing tickets, and can arrest individuals who refuse to leave. OPS will be conducting extra patrols of local parks in the coming days and weeks, Staff Sgt. Dave McLagan confirmed. 

“The Town acknowledges that these are challenging times for everyone, but (local residents) need to heed health and government directives to protect the public and bring the COVID-19 pandemic to an end,” said Sheila Duncan, the Town’s communications manager. 

Municipal parks and trails remain open for walkers based on maintaining social distancing – meaning individuals should keep at least two metres away from one another.

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