Select facilities to reopen over weekend
A basic premise of the Governor’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected Order is to “limit exposure through a policy of physical distancing while maintaining social connectedness”. Since the initial Executive Order 2020-12, there has been an extensive public education campaign which has resulted in the general public now understanding and adhering to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines.
Based on the directives given by the Governor; based on the public education programming regarding CDC guidelines of personal hygiene and physical distancing; and based on evidence that Arizonans are acting responsibly, the City announces the following actions:
Disclaimer: All actions herein recommended will ensure compliance with CDC rules, shall be posted accordingly and will be monitored as staff and resources allow to ensure proper social distancing with no gatherings of greater than 10 individuals. Individuals are encouraged to wear proper masks while utilizing City facilities. All outdoor equipment is disinfected daily with hospital grade disinfectant.
- Open the dog park.
- Open all ramadas and shade structures to provide protection from the sun and heat as we have now hit hotter weather.
- Open all playgrounds and skate park.
- Open all tennis and pickleball courts.
- Open all athletic fields, with the exception of baseball and softball fields at Copper Sky.
- Resume all curbside library services as initially provided.
- Provide for Drive-In Movie Nights (guests remain in car with distancing requirements in place).
- All restrooms will remain closed.
- The City reserves the right to close any facility should patrons ignore or refuse to follow established rules governing public safety as set forth by the CDC or Office of the Governor.
Executive Order 2020-12 and all subsequent Orders including Executive Order 2020-33 have encouraged the public to improve, “social connectedness, resiliency, and help-seeking behavior by [among other things] developing habits and activities that increase resilience, such as physical activity…” and, “engag[e] in outdoor exercise activities, such as walking, hiking, running, biking or golfing, but only if appropriate physical distancing practices are used.”
Further, per the Order, “to the extent individuals are using shared or outdoor spaces when outside their residence or property for Essential Activities, they shall, to the extent possible, maintain physical distancing of at least six feet from any other person, consistent with guidance from the CDC.”[1]
Order 2020-12 identifies Essential Governmental Functions to include, “park personnel that provide admission, maintenance and operation of park facilities that provide outdoor recreation.” “Essential Government Functions means all services provided by the…City…and needed to… provide for or support the health, safety and welfare of the public.” “Each government body shall determine its Essential Government Functions and ensure a plan is in place for the performance of these functions.” [2]
We will begin to open these facilities systematically over the weekend. The majority will open by close of business tomorrow, and all facilities open by Sunday with a few possible exceptions, including the dog park. We have been using this time to make repairs to the dog park to include new irrigation and drinking water at both pet and human fountains. We hope these limited openings will provide a positive outlet for the residents of Maricopa.
[1] State of Arizona Executive Order 2020-33, Section 3, Section 5, Section 11 (b)
[2] State of Arizona Executive Order 2020-12, Essential Government Functions
