Santa Monica Playgrounds Reopen Under Revised Health Order

SANTA MONICA, CA — Outdoor playgrounds in Santa Monica reopened Friday, part of the revised statewide health order, city officials said.

In response to outrage from both parents and a dozen California legislators, on Wednesday the state reversed its closure of playgrounds within regions under the renewed stay-at-home order.

Lawmakers argued in a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom last week that lower-income communities would be disproportionately affected by the order as not all families have outdoor space for children to play in.

"It is necessary for the mental and physical health of children to have opportunities to expend their physical energy and play," the letter, signed by 12 lawmakers, stated. "Public playgrounds provide a shared outdoor resource for families without having to travel far, pay entrance fees or need additional outdoor gear."

People are advised to follow the posted health guidance before visiting a playground. This includes:

• Never visiting if you are sick.
• Not gathering with people outside your household.
• Wearing a face covering at all times, including all children over age two.
• Using hand sanitizer or washing hands frequently.
• Not visiting the playground when crowded.

The following parks will reopen Friday:

• Airport Park Playground
• Annenberg Community Beach House Playground
• Clover Park Playgrounds
• Douglas Park Playground
• Euclid Park Playground
• Gandara Park Playground
• Ishihara Park Playground
• Marine Park Playground
• North Beach Playground
• Ozone Park Playground
• Reed Park Playground
• Tongva Park Playground
• Virginia Avenue Park Playground (slide closed)

School play structures at Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District schools will reopen at Franklin, Roosevelt, McKinley, Rogers, Grant, Edison, and Muir / SMASH schools.

Fields and open space at all Santa Monica elementary schools are open Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 5 p.m. and weekends and breaks through the Playground Partnership. Lincoln Middle School and John Adams Middle School fields are open for permit use only.

"Behavior of playground users will be monitored and if the district determines that people are not following the posted rules, the district may discontinue access," city officials said in a news release.

Visitors must comply with posted guidelines that outline the following requirements from the California Department of Public Health:

• Face masks over the mouth and nose are required for everyone 2 years of age or older with caregiver supervision at all times to ensure face mask use.
• Do not use the playground when different households are unable to maintain a physical distance of 6 feet.
• Caregivers must monitor to keep adults and children from different households at least 6 feet apart.
• Consider coming on different times or days to avoid wait times and potential crowded times.
• No eating or drinking in playground, to ensure face masks are worn at all times.
• Wash or sanitize hands before and after using the playground.
• Elderly and persons with underlying medical conditions should avoid playground when others are present.
• Limit visit to 30 min per day when others are present.

"We thank the community for their patience as guidelines change regularly," city officials said. "A special thank you to the City of Santa Monica’s Public Works team who has worked expeditiously to close, reopen, close and now reopen playgrounds as directed by public health officials who are doing all they can to stop the spread of this vicious virus."

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