Parks & Beaches To Reopen In Town Of Smithtown

TOWN OF SMITHTOWN, NY — All parks and beaches in the Town of Smithtown are scheduled to reopen Saturday, officials announced. Certain restrictions will be in place to ensure the safety of all residents and to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus, the Town said in a news release.

While Town parks will reopen, facilities for group or team activities, including basketball courts and hockey rinks, will remain closed until New York State guidelines allow them to reopen. Hoyt Farm spray park is open and operational. All other spray parks are scheduled to open no later than Monday. All restrooms will be open and cleaned regularly. Playground facilities will be open, though capacity will be restricted, and reminders will be in place to encourage residents to maintain social distancing guidelines. Parents and caregivers are asked to use vigilance in practicing good hand hygiene for children using playground equipment.

All town beaches will reopen, allowing active recreation. Swimming will be permitted when lifeguards are on duty. Residents should avoid close contact or touch sports, such as volleyball, football and other similar recreational games, unless playing with a family or household unit.

While enjoying outdoor spaces, residents are asked to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and New York State Department of Health guidelines for preventing the spread of COVID-19:

• Stay home if you are sick, or showing or feeling any COVID-19 symptoms, such as fever, coughing, and/or troubled breathing
• Practice social distancing by keeping at least six feet between yourself and others, even when outdoors
• Avoid close contact, such as shaking hands, hugging, or high-fives
• Wash hands often or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol when soap and water are not available
• Avoid unnecessary contact with surfaces that are often touched, such as doorknobs and handrails

Parks and beaches will be open to Town of Smithtown residents only. All cars will be checked for Smithtown Residency Sticker or proof of residency, officials said.

There will be restrictions allowing only 50 percent capacity of normal seasons.

Residents are asked to wear face coverings when in indoor areas, such as changing rooms, equipment sheds, locker rooms and restrooms. Face coverings must be worn anytime someone goes within six feet of someone else outside their household, and residents must always have one on hand.