Officials with the City of Atlantic, Monday, report for the safety of the public, the City is closing the use of City playgrounds, as the surfaces on playground equipment can sustain the COVID-19 virus for an extended period of time, and crews cannot sanitize the surfaces effectively. Green space in the parks will remain open to the public. Shelter reservations will also not be taken at this time to limit group gatherings.

Here is the full statement from Atlantic Parks & Rec Director Bryant Rasmussen:

“Things can change relatively quickly and the Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department is taking necessary steps to insure the safety of the public looking to use the parks.  The spread of the virus relies heavily on the availability of new hosts to infect, and is completely at the mercy of finding a new host, because it cannot self-replicate. (Harvard Medical School, Coronavirus Resource Centre, Harvard Health Publishing)  The parks will remain open but the Parks and Recreation Department DOES NOT encourage children to play on the playground equipment.  Think “Park not Playground”.

The Covid-19 (Coronavirus) can remain infectious for hours up to 9 days depending on the material (National Institutes of Health, CDC, UCLA and Princeton University scientists in The New England Journal of Medicine) and the playground equipment cannot be properly sterilized.  Along with the playgrounds all the restrooms will remain closed to limit the locations where the virus can remain infections and shelter reservations will not be accepted to limit the sizes of groups using the parks.

There is an abundance of green space which can still be utilized while following the regulations set forth by Governor Reynolds and the CDC regarding no more than 10 in a group, social distancing, frequent handwashing, coughing into your sleeve, staying home when you don’t feel well, and everything else.  The Parks and Recreation Department is looking to insure the safety and well-being of all individuals looking to get out and enjoy the parks during this time.

We understand and hope you enjoy the green space which is available, but we strongly encourage you to follow these recommendations and stay off the playgrounds. The City is continuing to evaluate all our operations in order to ensure the safety of the public and our employees. I shall update you if further changes occur.”