Most City of Charleston Parks Reopen for Exercise Activities
Updated on May 1, 2020. From our Executive Director
Dear Park Angels,
I am pleased to announced that last night, during an emergency meeting of Charleston City Council, Mayor John Tecklenburg announced that most city parks will reopen this weekend to allow for exercise and movement. No group activities–such as picnics or exercise classes–or close contact court and field sports are allowed.
City of Charleston Director of Parks and Conservancy Board of Directors Member, Jason Kronsberg said, “City staff will be out in parks acting as ambassadors and ensuring that everyone is following rules of social distancing. There will be no large groups allowed to gather and socialize. Citizens using the parks will need to continue to move along and not stay in one area.”
Staff from Recreation, Livability, Traffic and Transportation and Charleston Police Departments will be working to ensure that all citizens abide by the rules of safety and social distancing. The city will continue to use signage to ensure public compliance.
Citizens must maintain proper social distancing and should consider wearing face masks while using city parks. Restrooms, stationary playground and exercise equipment, dog runs, docks, piers and areas that encourage close contact sports will remain closed until health officials determine that those areas can be safely used.
Demetre Park on James Island will continue to be closed, and the Municipal Golf Course will also remain closed to the public due to the ongoing renovations.
Mary Murray Drive in Hampton Park will be closed to all vehicular traffic from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily as a temporary measure intended to allow more flexibility for social distances for exercise and recreation purposes.
No permits will be issued for reserved park usage at this time. All indoor recreation facilities will continue to be closed to the public. All recreation programs and activities are still postponed at this time.
The Conservancy will have further information about the resumption of volunteer activities in the parks as more information becomes available. In the meantime, I encourage you to get out into the parks, abide by the City’s guidelines, and follow us on social media for more information about staying engaged in our parks!
For current guidelines on the use of Charleston’s parks and recreation areas, please visit the city’s Coronavirus Update page here.
Sincerely,
Harry Lesesne
Executive Director