Hoboken Signs Order For Health Clubs To Use Outdoor Facilities

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla signed an executive order on Wednesday permitting fitness clubs to use certain city fields and parks "in order to facilitate safe, socially distanced outdoor workouts," according to a release. The workouts can include up to 15 people, with social distancing.

The clubs can also use parking lots with the permission of the property owner.

The executive order was signed in anticipation of an eventual reopening of fitness centers with limited capacity and social distancing, which would be determined by Gov. Phil Murphy. Murphy recently spoke about eventual gym reopenings.

The city explained, "Owners or managers of fitness centers with a license to operate in the city of Hoboken can now apply to host outdoor classes of up to 15 people, with strict social distancing guidelines of at least six feet between each participant at all times."

“Our gyms and fitness clubs have been hard hit during COVID-19,” said Mayor Bhalla. “Allocating space for outdoor classes provides an added option for safe and socially distanced workouts."

“We think allowing businesses to utilize public space to host outdoor fitness classes is an excellent first step towards re-opening while also promoting public health and well-being,” said Patrick Franco, owner of the Hudson Yoga Project. “Addiction, depression, and other mental health issues have all been proven to be reduced with physical activity. Through this initial role out, the Hudson Yoga Project can provide a roadmap of how safe and responsible interactions can be sustained within the fitness community.”

Each application will be reviewed by city staff on a case by case basis, with additional information requested including class sizes, current indoor capacity, types of workouts requested outdoors, and more. Gyms and fitness clubs are permitted to charge participants the fair market value they would normally charge for indoor classes.

The city is offering the following parks and fields are offered for outdoor workouts:

• Church Square Park basketball court
• Elysian Park basketball court
• Multi-Service Center rink
• 14th Street Viaduct soccer pitch
• City Hall Plaza (behind City Hall)
• 7th and Jackson plaza and lawn
• Sinatra Park amphitheater
• 1600 Turf Field and concrete area
• Maxwell Park pier and lawn
• Southwest Park
• Mama Johnson field
• Sinatra Park field
• Stevens Park little league field
• Church Square Park turf lawn
• Pier A

More information about Hoboken’s efforts to help small businesses, including the city’s Business Recovery Plan and applications for "streateries," "parklets," and open streets can be found at http://www.hobokennj.gov/businessrecovery.

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