Dog days in park, hit some lobs as Newmarket reopens select amenities

Staff gets busy preparing outdoor facilities but no organized activity yet

Yorkregion.com
May 25, 2020
John Cudmore

Newmarket is starting to open up.

Following the lead of the Ontario provincial government’s introduction to re-opening earlier in the week, the Town of Newmarket announced late Friday afternoon that five tennis courts and its dog park are among amentities opening for public use this weekend.

The facilities are open as of May 22.

“I am pleased that we are able to reopen some outdoor recreational amenities for the community to use,” said Mayor John Taylor. “We are taking a cautious approach to reopening with the health and safety of our community as our number one priority.”

The tennis courts available for use include Art Ferguson Park, Drew Doak Park, Charles Van Zant Park, Haskett Park and the Keith Davis Tennis Centre.

Remaining tennis courts will be opened by May 29.

In addition, Tom Taylor Trail Boardwalk is open but restricted to one-way traffic.

The amenities open to the public are for recreational use only. Organized sports or league play is not permitted.

Activities like having a picnic, playing catch, frisbee and kicking a soccer ball are allowed in open spaces providing public health guidelines are followed.

“I want to thank our community for continued commitment to following the public health guidelines, you have done an exceptional job,” said Taylor. “Please remember that the success of this reopening phase is dependent on your actions.

“We need to be strong, and extra vigilant.”

Over the next two weeks, the town is expected to gradually reopen additional recreational outdoor amenities.

In the meantime, staff will be performing necessary maintenance work to ensure these areas are safe for use, in addition to posting updated signage.

For the most up-to-date information on what is open and closed, visit newmarket.ca/reopen or follow the town on social media @TownofNewmarket on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

For more information on Newmarket news, related to COVID-19, visit newmarket.ca/COVID19.