Rancho Palos Verdes Park Buildings, Events Canceled Amid COVID-19

PALOS VERDES, CA — The City of Rancho Palos Verdes announced Friday the closure of all city park buildings and the cancellation of all recreational activities, classes and events at city-operated facilities in an effort to stop the spread of the new coronavirus in Los Angeles County.

According to the City, the following closures and preventative measures are "out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of the health and well-being of the public, particularly older adults and those vulnerable to COVID-19":

Effective Saturday, March 14 through at least the remainder of March:

• All City park buildings will be closed to the public. This includes Fred Hesse, Jr. Community Park, the Point Vicente Interpretive Center, the Ladera Linda Community Center, Robert E. Ryan Community Park and Eastview Park.
  • Park grounds, park restrooms, the Abalone Cove Park
    parking lot and the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve will remain open (though the Preserve is subject to closure due to rain). Please note that the Hesse Park Building will be open only for the March 17 City Council meeting and social distancing and hand-sanitizing measures will be implemented.
• All recreational activities, classes and events at City-operated facilities will be canceled.
  • Please note that at this time, the City’s annual Easter Egg Hunt on April 11, the Whale of a Day Celebration on April 18, and other events scheduled in April have not been canceled. If the status of these events changes, the City will notify the public as soon as possible.

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The City is also implementing the following preventative measures in response to the new coronavirus:

• Installing exterior hand-sanitizing stations at all City facilities, including parks, and requesting visitors sanitize prior to entering buildings.
• Increasing the frequency and depth of cleaning of restrooms at all City facilities.
• Suspending all City-related travel.
• Implementing social distancing measures at the March 17 City Council meeting.

The City said these measures will be in place on a week-to-week basis, and will adjust accordingly.

For more information, visit the City of Rancho Palos Verdes coronavirus webpage.

At this time, City Hall remains open to the public during normal hours; if this changes, the City will notify the public as soon as possible, the news release said.

Closures and cancellations announced by the city and other institutions are being implemented because public health officials advise social distancing is the best and most effective tool to slow the spread of coronavirus, the news release said. The immediate risk to the general public continues to be considered low at this time, the City said.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC's recommendations for using a facemask.
  • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
  • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.