Providence Closes Down Parks, Public Areas: Coronavirus In RI

PROVIDENCE, RI — Starting Tuesday, Providence's public areas are closed to help encourage social distancing as warmed weather arrives. The additional closures come after "a weekend of enforcement," officials said in a statement.

All public parks, green spaces, dog parks, sports fields and courts and off-road trails are closed for both walking and recreational use until May 8. This includes Roger Williams Park, North Burial Ground, Blackstone Boulevard and Pleasant Valley Parkway. The closure went into effect at noon Tuesday, and, starting Wednesday, all golf courses in the city will be closed as well.

Providence police will continue to enforce the closures and social distancing mandates. Residents are reminded to maintain 6 feet between themselves and others in public, cover their faces with a fabric covering such as a home-sewn mask or bandanna and avoid groups of five people or more.

With many Providence residents walking and riding bikes in the city, drivers are encouraged to be extra careful. To help reduce contact in high-touch areas, the city has made several changes, such as changing crosswalk signals to change automatically without pressing the button.

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