City & School District Announce Playground and Sport Facility Closures

Public Notice:  April 6, 2020

Joint announcement from the City of Auburn and the Auburn Enlarged City School District:

For the safety of all residents and to reduce the community spread of COVID-19, the County of Cayuga has issued an Emergency Order that states the following: “All playgrounds, athletic courts, and sporting fields within the territorial limits of Cayuga County shall be closed to the public. Visitors to public parks shall maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from unrelated persons.”

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY:

For the safety of all visitors and to reduce the community spread of COVID-19, The City of Auburn and the Auburn Enlarged City School District are undertaking the following steps to reduce public density at parks and playgrounds:

• All playgrounds and playground equipment is closed and should not be used;
• All athletic courts and sporting fields are closed;
• All public programs and events at City Parks are cancelled;
• All indoor park facilities are closed;

While enjoying outdoor spaces such as the walking trails at various City parks, please continue to follow the guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)/State Department of Health (DOH) Social Distance to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Stay home if you are sick, or showing or feeling any COVID-19 symptoms, such as fever, coughing, and/or troubled breathing;
• Practice social distancing by keeping at least six (6) feet of distance between yourself and others, even when outdoors;
• Avoid close contact, such as shaking hands, hugging, or high-fives;
• Wash hands often or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when soap and water are not available; and
• Avoid unnecessary contact with surfaces that are often touched, such as doorknobs and handrails.

The City of Auburn and Auburn Enlarged City Schools also encourage residents to:

• Stay close to home and keep park visits short;
• Visit in small groups limited to immediate household members;
• Maintain distance from others while in places where people tend to congregate, such as parking lots, and trailheads;
• Avoid games and activities that require close contact, such as basketball, football, or soccer;
• Avoid playground equipment like slides and swings and other frequently touched surfaces;
• Do not share equipment, such as bicycles, helmets, balls, or Frisbees; and
• If you arrive at a park and crowds are forming, choose a different park, a different trail, or return another time/day to visit.

Public Announcement authorized by: Jeff Dygert, City Manager, City of Auburn & Jeff Pirozzolo, Superintendent, Auburn Enlarged City School District.