Day Away From Miami-Dade Reopening Parks, Marinas, Golf Courses
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Starting Wednesday, Miami-Dade's parks, marinas and waterways, and golf courses will reopen with new rules and strict regulations amid the coronavirus outbreak.
On Tuesday afternoon, CBS4 was inside Kendall Indian Hammocks Park as workers took the final steps in preparing the park for a safe reopening.
Signs were posted on new rules and regulations on one restroom, workers were inside that restroom thoroughly clean it and sanitizing it. They also worked outside cleaning water fountains.
The playgrounds were sealed off with yellow tape, indicating they were off-limits and closed.
A number of people told CBS4'S Peter D'Oench that they could not wait for the parks to reopen.
Mara Suarez Legault said, "I think it is a good idea because people want to get out and they need to do that. It's so important and most people are aware of what a safe distance is all about.
In terms of enforcement, you have got police cars everywhere in the park and they are looking for that. You just have to stay safe and stay clean. But I can't wait until a return to normalcy."
Robert Zisook said "You may as well open up the parks and not let people go stir crazy as long as they are not close to each other. There is not much harm if they are wearing masks. They have been cooped up."
During a news conference at Tropical Park on Monday afternoon, Mayor Carlos Gimenez released details specific to each area which is outlined in Executive Order 21-20.
"This is a new normal and life will be a little different outdoors. Enforcement is the key. If people are not obeying the rules they will be escorted out and subject to a fine of $500. It will be zero tolerance for people not following the rules," said Gimenez.
The mayor said some 400 people who had worked in security at Hard Rock Stadium and the American Airlines Arena would be involved with enforcement along with other county employees and dozens of crossing guards.
He said he consulted with infectious disease experts at Florida International University and Jackson Health and was told that the openings were not being done too soon.
PARK OPENINGS:
All parks will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for limited activity use by individuals and families, as permitted by and following the current CDC and Florida Department of Health guidelines. In addition to all parks, the following facilities will be open: Deering Estate (open space only), Fruit & Spice Park, Trail Glades Range, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, and Vizcaya (gardens only).
THE RULES:
- Facial coverings must be worn.
- Seniors can use parks any time and have priority and access two hours in the early morning, three times a week: from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at designated parks.
- All passive uses of a park are allowed if social distancing is maintained, EXCEPT table games, picnics, and parties are not allowed.
- No groups of 10 or more will be allowed.
- Activities that are allowed include walking, hiking, jogging, running, walking, skating, cycling.
- Individual sports skill practice includes: basketball (3 people per half court), solo racquetball, tennis (singles only).
- Golf, boating and nature trail walks are allowed.
- Restrooms will be open and there will be an attendant to monitor social distancing. They will be cleaned no less than once every two hours with CDC approved products. Restroom use shall be one person or one family at a time.
- Prohibited amenities include: bike racks, playgrounds and exercise equipment, dog parks, recreation buildings, table games, camping, picnic shelters, gyms, campgrounds, skate parks, splash pads and swimming pools, mechanical attractions and food concessions.
- Beaches are NOT opening at this time including Causeways, Haulover, Crandon, Atoll beach pools at Matheson Hammock, Homestead Bayfront Park, Crandon Park, and Haulover Park are also closed.
- All sports field lighting will remain off.
- Rental concessions will remain closed, except for jet skis and kayaks that can be rented in marinas and must sanitize jet skis and kayaks between use.
The following facilities will remain closed:
- Zoo Miami
- Amelia Earhart Park (closed due to testing for Covid-19)
Vehicle parking capacity in parks will be limited, as necessary, to adhere to CDC social distancing guidelines.
WATCH MAYOR GIMENEZ' NEWS CONFERENCE HERE:
BOATING AND WATERWAYS:
There are new rules and guidelines for all water related activities including charter vessels, kayaking and canoeing, boat ramps, fish cleaning stations, fishing piers and public restrooms and ship stores.
ALLOWED ACTIVITIES:
- All boats, kayaks and canoes must remain 50 feet apart at all times.
- Charter vessels
- Passengers (Must be boarded before launch)
- Single Boat Launches Only (Vessels must be prepared in advanced, one per ramp)
- Bait & Tackle, Fuel Docks Open
- Jet Ski Rental (Single Riders Only)
- Fish Cleaning StationS
- Fishing Piers
- Restrooms
NOT ALLOWED:
- Tying Up (Including Stiltsville)
- Rafting
- Anchoring (Including shallow sandbars (e.g., Haulover Sandbar, Nixon Beach Sandbar, Sands Cut Sandbar and others)
- Beaching
(No beaching of boats on Monument Island, Sandspur Island ("Beer Can Island"), Pace Picnic Island or others - Landings
Click here for more on boat capacity and charter vessel rules
GOLF COURSES:
ALLOWED ACTIVITIES:
- Practice Range
- Handicap Recording
- Bring Your Own Golf Clubs
- Wear Face Covering
- Personal Golf Balls/Equipment
- Bathrooms
- One Player Per Golf Cart
NOT ALLOWED:
- Walk Up Tee Times
- Cash Transactions
- Two Golfers Per Cart
- Touching The Flagstick
- Leaving Trash in Cart
- No Social Gatherings Before or After Round
ON THE COURSE:
- Staff and players must wear facial coverings and practice social distancing.
- Players responsible for bringing their golf equipment to a designated area. No clubs or other equipment will be transported by golf course staff
- Designated signage outside pro shop and clubhouse outlining required social distancing guidelines with masks
- Designated signage on carts and around clubhouse with the phone number to call for food orders and an explanation of how to pay
- No indoor events
PRO SHOP ENTRANCES, WHERE POSSIBLE, WILL BE CLOSED:
- Payment will be made at the front door following proper social distancing guidelines
- Glass/plastic screen between pro shop staff and customers will be installed
- Staff will wear facial coverings and gloves at all times
- Where applicable, separate entry and exit doors will be designated
- No locker room usage and no bag storage usage
- For all pro shop lines, markers will be placed on the floor at 6-foot intervals to comply with social distancing guidelines. Staff may limit the number of persons using pro shops to ensure social distancing is maintained.
Hand sanitizer will be provided in bathrooms and payment areas - Encourage only one person in each bathroom at any time (signage placed)
- Each cart and any rental equipment will be cleaned and disinfected prior to players use
- All sand containers, scorecards, pencils, tees, towels, coolers or other shared materials removed from golf carts
- All bathrooms and touch-point areas disinfected every two hours
- Driving range hitting areas spaced at least 10 feet apart
- Scorecard, pencil and tees will only be issued to individuals when requested from starter, but then discarded after their initial use
GOLF COURSE PREP:
- All water stations removed
- All ball wash units removed or locked down
- All practice facility bag stands, chairs and PVC pipes for picking up balls removed
- All range balls cleaned, with water and soap, after every pick-up prior to making them available for golfers
- Where possible, 60-and-older clientele will be separated from younger clientele
- Rakes in all bunker removed
CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON GOLF COURSE RULES, FOOD & BEVERAGE AND STAFF
Broward will do a similar opening with restrictions. They will also allow some county pools, and pools at apartment and condo buildings, to open. Miami-Dade is keeping its pools closed.
Miami Beach will also open a number of parks, golf courses, and recreational facilities on Wednesday with restrictions.
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