Happening nearby: City of Edmonds closes access to beach parks, dog park

In an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 and encourage social distancing, the City of Edmonds has suspended access to its beach parks, including the off-leash dog park, effective immediately.

The closure includes public restrooms and parking lots at Edmonds’ beaches, Marina Beach Park and Brackett’s Landing North Park, Deputy Parks and Recreation Superintendent Shannon Burley said via email Sunday morning.

“We had too many people at the beaches and needed to take some steps to discourage that behavior and encourage social distancing,” Burley said.

According to Burley, the closure does not include the fishing pier or Brackett’s South Park — yet. The hope is that the restroom and parking closure “will reduce number of people down there significantly,” she said.

Asked whether a closure of all city parks is possible, Burley said that “all parks are being watched closely, (and) if we continue to see too many people in close contact we will be forced to close them.
“At this time we encourage people to get fresh air and walk but to keep their distance and keep moving,” Burley said. “Giant ultimate frisbee games, volleyball games, youth sports practices are all the type of activities that will force us to close the parks.”
The city last week announced the closure of all city playgrounds.

In a post on the city’s Facebook page Saturday, Edmonds Mayor Mike Nelson reminded residents that “it is up to us as a community to slow the spread of this virus, if you are able to stay home, please do.”

 

  1. I think this is being abit paranoid. We need to take steps but this is over the top. Its lovely seeing the young families enjoying themselves and I do think from observation that they are indeed social distancing themselves. Please reconsider this unfair action

    1. I agree with Ann. I actually think local government is out of control. Our local leaders are “ allowing “ us to use our own parks. Oh but no, no use of the bathrooms? People need bathrooms. What is happening to our city ?

  2. This is a good thing. I live a few feet from the Mill Creek walking trail. I have seen groups of people back and forth then I’ll see mothers with strollers walking a yard behind them. Young people and joggers. Bycicles and electric bikes. People are still spitting. Coughing etc. I think most don’t know that walking ten +feet through the same space someone else just walked or ran or biked. Am I making sense? This is airborne right? We have transient people. Homeless people and all of them are from different areas. It’s a disaster waiting to happen. Please talk to Mill Creek and ask them to close this walking trail along with McCullom park and ride. I am disabled along with 3 others who live just off this trail. We have comprimised immune systems and we can’t hold our breath for hours.

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