BROOKINGS – Starting Tuesday, the City of Brookings is temporarily closing park playgrounds and basketball courts due to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a press release from the Brookings Parks and Recreation Department.

The statement from the department says:

“The Brookings Parks and Recreation Department understands the important value playgrounds have to our community. We also take seriously the health of our users.

“Given the current situation and based on the recommendations from the National Parks & Recreation Association, park playgrounds and basketball courts in the City of Brookings will be posted as temporarily closed effective March 31, 2020, to help promote social distancing as well as limit the transmission of the COVID 19 virus through surface contact.

“Closed areas will be identified with a signage and playground structures will be wrapped with caution tape.”

Dusty Rodiek, director of Parks, Recreation and Forestry, said Monday that parks will remain open for general use.

“Currently it’s the amenities that create social distancing challenges or surface transfer that are restricted,” Rodiek said in an email to the Register. “Tennis, for example, would still be available. Participants are widely spread without physical contact, are known to each other and have their own equipment.”

The dog park will remain open with the request that users practice social distancing, Rodiek added.