| Parks and Recreation Impacted Services Update | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/parks-and-recreation/1068 | Parks and Recreation | | 5/21/2020 5:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/1068/Newsroom_Virus_Impacts.png | | Parks and Recreation Impacted Services Update | <div class="ExternalClassB6B6355466564A03A1151DE823A3FD6A"><html>
<p>Follow updates about which Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department services, facilities and programs are affected as the City of Phoenix works with the community to combat the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. The department cares deeply about the health of its staff and customers.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="/newsroom/em-and-hs/1054"><strong><em>See all City of Phoenix Impacted Services</em></strong></a><em> </em><br><span id="ms-rterangepaste-start"></span><em>Use the Translate button on the menu bar at the top of this page to read in another language </em></p>
<p><strong>Will the city's public pools and splashpads be open this summer?<br></strong>The Parks and Recreation Department is evaluating operation of its 29 public pools. <span id="ms-rterangepaste-end"></span>The department is working with
the City Council to determine a plan to safely operate its pools this summer. <a target="_blank" href="/newsroom/parks-and-recreation/1227">Read a statement about city pools opening during summer 2020</a>.</p><p>During a typical year, city pools are open six days a week
seasonally from Memorial Day weekend through July (closed Fridays). During August through Labor
Day, 11 select pools are open weekends only.</p><p>The city's nine splashpads are closed until further notice. During a typical year, splashpads are open seasonally the last Saturday in May through October 1.</p><p><a target="_blank" href="/parks/pools/">Read more on the Pools and Splashpads webpage</a>.</p><p><strong>Which Parks and Recreation Department facilities are open and available for use?</strong><br>The City of Phoenix has one of the largest recreation systems in the nation. The city's 185 flatland parks are open normal hours of operation, including use of the following amenities: </p><ul><li>Open green space</li><li>Walking paths</li><li>Tennis courts</li><li>Pickleball courts (limited access)</li><li>Benches</li><li>Drinking fountains</li><li>Disc golf</li><li>12 dog parks</li><li>8 golf courses</li><li>7 skate parks/plazas</li></ul><p>Additionally, the city's hiking trails are open. <a target="_blank" href="/newsroom/parks-and-recreation/1096">Access is limited at several high-traffic hiking destinations</a>.</p><p>Residents can find detailed information about the city's outdoor recreational options at
<a data-auth="NotApplicable" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="/parks">
Phoenix.gov/Parks</a> and via updates on the department’s social media accounts (<a data-auth="NotApplicable" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://www.facebook.com/phoenixparks/">Facebook</a> and <a data-auth="NotApplicable" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/PhoenixParks">
Twitter</a>).</p><p>Please also note the availability and operation of the following events and facilities:</p><ul><li>The weekly <a target="_blank" href="/parks/trails/locations/south-mountain">Silent Sunday</a> event in South Mountain Park/Preserve will continue as scheduled</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://phoenixtenniscenter.org/">Phoenix Tennis Center</a> in Washington Park is open, but operating modified hours</li><li>Effective May 15, the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.japanesefriendshipgarden.org/">Japanese Friendship Garden</a> in Hance Park is open</li><li><span id="ms-rterangepaste-start"></span>Effective May 15, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.enchantedisland.com/">Enchanted Island Amusement Park</a> in Encanto Park is open</li><li>The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.phoenixzoo.org/">Phoenix Zoo</a> is offering a drive-thru experience </li></ul><p><strong>Which Parks and Recreation Department services, programs and facilities are affected?</strong><br>The following outdoor city recreational amenities are temporarily closed:</p><ul><li>Restrooms in parks (restrooms at trailheads are open)</li><li>Playgrounds</li><li>Basketball and volleyball courts</li><li>Fitness equipment</li><li>Ramadas</li><li>Picnic tables</li><li>Splashpads</li><li>Encanto and Rose Mofford sports complexes </li></ul><p><a target="_blank" href="/newsroom/parks-and-recreation/1039">All city indoor recreation facilities are temporarily closed</a>. All classes and programs, including youth and adult sports leagues, are suspended. Gatherings and events on city park property are canceled or postponed, including groups and organizations that have a sports field reservation or special activity request.</p><p>The following recreation facilities or programs are closed, postponed or suspended:</p><ul><li>Pueblo Grande Museum is closed and all programs postponed</li><li>The Mobile Recreation program has been suspended</li><li>The Phoenix Afterschool Center (PAC) program has been suspended (PAC operates on school campuses citywide and will be suspended until schools reopen)</li><li>Adaptive and inclusive programs operated by non-profit partner Daring Adventures have been postponed (offices located in Telephone Pioneers Park are closed)</li></ul><p><a target="_blank" href="/newsroom/parks-and-recreation/1096">Limited access is available at Papago Park’s Hole in the Rock, Camelback Mountain’s Echo Canyon Trailhead, Piestewa Peak Trailhead, and South Mountain Park’s Pima Canyon Trailhead and Dobbins Lookout</a>. Due to rock remediation and trail maintenance following, Camelback Mountain's Cholla Trail is temporarily closed.<span id="ms-rterangepaste-end"></span></p><span id="ms-rterangepaste-end"></span><p>The Parks and Recreation Department has agreements with many partner organizations that operate city-owned facilities, of which the following are closed: </p><ul><li>Ak-Chin Pavilion</li><li>American Family Fields of Phoenix</li><li>Arizona Science Center</li><li>Desert Botanical Garden</li><li>Heritage Square</li><li>Horse Lovers Park</li><li>Irish Cultural Center</li><li>North Mountain Visitor Center</li><li>Phoenix Center for the Arts</li><li>Phoenix Indian School Visitor Center in Steele Indian School Park</li><li>Phoenix Municipal Stadium</li><li>Pioneer and Military Memorial Park and Smurthwaite House</li><li>Rio Salado Audubon Center</li><li>Shemer Art Center</li><li>South Mountain Environmental Education Center (SMEEC)</li><li>Thunderbird Arts Center</li><li>Tovrea Castle</li></ul><p><strong>How are city golf courses affected?<br></strong><a target="_blank" href="/parks/golf">All eight of the city's public golf courses are open normal hours of operation, including restaurants</a>. On-course beverage cart service is available daily. CDC guidelines and physical distancing protocol is being followed. </p><p>Golf cart rental/use is limited to one person at a time unless it is two family members. <span id="ms-rterangepaste-end"></span></p><p>The<a target="_blank" href="/parkssite/Documents/PKS_Golf/PKS_Golf_Entry_Forms.pdf"> 2020 Stroke Play Championship</a> has been rescheduled for August 21-23.</p><p><strong>Can I get exercise outdoors and still practice responsible social or physical distancing?</strong><br>Being outdoors is important for health and wellness. The Parks and Recreation Department encourages residents to get outside, get exercise and practice responsible<a target="_blank" href="/parkssite/_layouts/15/Catalog.aspx?Url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ephoenix%2Egov%2Fparkssite%2FMediaAssets%2FGFX%5FCOVID%5FSocial%5FDistancing%2Ejpg"> social or physical distancing</a> while exploring all that the city's park system has to offer. The City of Phoenix is one of more than 1,000 organizations nationwide to have signed on in support of the National Recreation and Park Association's (NRPA) <a target="_blank" href="/newsroom/parks-and-recreation/1082">social or physical distancing guidelines</a> when using a public park or trail. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nrpa.org/about-national-recreation-and-park-association/press-room/NRPA-statement-on-using-parks-and-open-space-while-maintaining-social-distancing/">Read more on the NRPA website</a>.</p><p><strong>Are upcoming registration dates affected?</strong><br>Registration for 2020 summer classes, programs and activities are postponed until further notice. </p><p><strong>Will participants of suspended or canceled programs receive a refund?</strong><br><span id="ms-rterangepaste-start"></span>Participants of winter and spring classes, programs, sports leagues, Phoenix Afterschool Center (PAC) and sports field reservations will receive a prorated refund. Credit
will be placed on their Activenet account and be available for use the next time they register. If paid by credit card, the refund will automatically be applied to that card. Customers can request a refund by check, which could take up to 2 to 4 weeks
to process. If a participant wishes to receive a check, they should contact the facility at which the program was being held. All administrative fees for cancelations and refunds have been waived. </p><p>
<a target="_blank" href="/newsroom/em-and-hs/1054">
<strong>See all City of Phoenix Impacted Services</strong> </a> </p></html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/parks | News |
| Statement about City Pools Opening this Summer | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/parks-and-recreation/1227 | Parks and Recreation | | 5/13/2020 3:00:00 AM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/1227/pool.jpg | | Statement about City Pools Opening this Summer | <div class="ExternalClassAE268871C00D4DA29C7D5DD6D4081C21"><html>
<p>One of the most popular City of Phoenix
services offered to the community is its 29 public pools. Thousands of
residents take advantage of aquatics programs each year through swimming
lessons and simply enjoying a break from the heat. The city takes great pride
in offering this service. </p><p>The COVID-19 pandemic restrictions caused the city to
dramatically reevaluate operation of these facilities. During a typical
summer in the Valley, city pools are open to the public six days a week
from Memorial Day weekend through the end of July. During August through Labor
Day, 11 select city pools are open on weekends only.
</p>
<p>
In response to guidance received today from
Governor Doug Ducey that relaxes standards for utilizing public
swimming facilities, the Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department will work with
the Phoenix City Council to determine a plan to safely operate its pools with
the health and well being of staff and customers at the forefront of concern. <br></p><p>Once
the City Council provides feedback, the Parks and Recreation Department must be
allowed 30 days to prepare its pools for aquatics-related activities. It takes
that amount of time to complete hiring and training of staff and to prepare the
pools for swimmers. </p><p>The department is carefully considering all aspects of
operation such as physical distancing standards and restrictions on large
groups and gatherings. The Parks and Recreation Department will also follow
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines to ensure that it provides the
safest, most optimal experience for customers.
</p>
<p>Follow the latest updates about the 2020 summer pool season on <a href="/parks" target="_blank">Phoenix.gov/Parks</a>
and the various City of Phoenix social media accounts.<br></p></html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/parks | News |
| Fire Ban in Desert Parks and Preserves Starts May 1 | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/parks-and-recreation/1171 | Parks and Recreation | | 4/27/2020 5:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/1171/city preserve land.jpg | | Fire Ban in Desert Parks and Preserves Starts May 1 | <div class="ExternalClass618E63D328FE48CB8951C2086A4FD325"><html>
<p>The <a target="_blank" href="/parks/">Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department</a> will put into effect its annual ban of open fires in the city's desert parks and mountain preserves starting Friday, May 1. </p><p>In consultation with the Phoenix Fire Department, smoking and charcoal fires are included in the ban due to the extreme fire danger that the combination of low humidity, increased temperatures, excessive dry fuel from a wet winter, and frequent high winds create each spring.<br></p><p>The ban applies to Camelback Mountain, Deem Hills Recreation Area, Papago Park, Phoenix Mountains Park and Recreation Area, Phoenix Mountains Preserve, Phoenix Sonoran Preserve, North Mountain Park, Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area, and South Mountain Park/Preserve.</p><p>The ban does not apply to the city's flatland parks.<br></p><p>For those using the desert parks and preserve land, the fire ban stipulates the following:</p><ul><li>Open, wood and charcoal fires are prohibited</li><li>Propane or gas grills may be used, but only in established picnic areas</li><li>Smoking outside enclosed vehicles continues to be prohibited<br></li></ul><p>Motorists traveling through or near Phoenix's desert parks and mountain preserves should use extreme care with smoking materials and dispose of those only in their vehicle's ash tray.</p><p>To protect their homes, residents whose property borders the city's preserve land may remove dry shrubs, brush and grasses, and trim dead branches from trees within the 10-foot strip of land that borders their property. By creating this 10-foot “buffer zone" residents can help to protect their homes from potential brush fires in the adjacent preserve land. </p><p>Preserve neighbors also should check irrigation lines and pool back-flush hoses to ensure that water is not seeping into the preserve. Outside water sources encourage unnaturally dense vegetation growth, which increases fire risk.</p><p>For general information regarding removing vegetation, residents can contact a Phoenix Park Ranger at 602-495-5458 or <a href="mailto:natural.resources.pks@phoenix.gov." target="_blank">natural.resources.pks@phoenix.gov</a>.<br></p><p>As the temperature increases and humidity drops this time of year, those utilizing the city's desert parks and mountain preserves should use extra caution. Heat-related illness is common from May to October, and generally occur because the victim has been overexposed to heat or overexerted their body based on physical condition or age. </p><p>The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department and Phoenix Fire Department remind trail users to <a target="_blank" href="/parks/trails">“Take a Hike. Do it Right."</a> and practice responsible social and physical distancing when enjoying the city's desert parks and mountain preserves. <a target="_blank" href="/parks/trails">View a hiking safety checklist and guidelines for physical distancing when hiking</a>.</p><p>For the safety of pets, dogs are prohibited on any City of Phoenix trail when the temperature is 100 degrees or warmer. The Arizona Humane Society advises that temperatures in the 90s are also unsafe for pets to be outdoors. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.azhumane.org/events/dont-leave-pets-kids-hot-cars/">Learn how to keep pets safe during Arizona's warm weather months</a>.</p><p>Detailed information about Phoenix's 41,000-plus acres of desert parks and mountain preserves, and 200-plus miles of trails, is available at <a target="_blank" href="/parks">Phoenix.gov/Parks</a>.<br></p><br></html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/parks | News |
