WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — Parks officials in Wausau and Marathon County are encouraging everyone to get outside this weekend in a safe, socially distant manner.
“Wausau and Marathon County parks remain open for general use,” said Director of Parks, Recreation, and Forestry for Marathon County and the city of Wausau Jamie Polley. “Get out and enjoy our parks, but maintain that social distancing as required at six feet or more.”
Polley says that doesn’t mean residents will have access to all features of the parks. Playground equipment and other toys will remain off-limits and in most cases have been blocked off with yellow caution tape because those are surfaces that are difficult to sanitize. “It [Coronavirus] is said to stay on hard surfaces longer. [And] those playgrounds aren’t disinfected regularly.”
In addition to city parks, other facilities will be open for use including disc golf courses and the single-lane bike trails at Sylvan, Big Eau Pleine, and Nine Mile.
Skate parks will remain closed since they are considered to be in the same class as playground equipment with several hard surfaces. Residents are also encouraged to avoid gathering in groups of ten or more in green spaces. The Safer at Home order also prohibits team sports like football, softball, or soccer from being played in those spaces.
Parks workers will have some bathroom facilities open for use, and garbage bins will be placed to keep the parks clean.
Polley says the city’s Parks and Recreation Committee will meet on Monday, May 4th to begin discussing procedures for opening the city’s swimming pools.
