Vaughan shuts down outdoor skating rinks, toboggan hills, dog parks as part of COVID-19 restrictions

680news.com
Jan. 18, 2021
Lucas Casaletto

The City of Vaughan is one of the first GTA municipalities to officially shut down a number of outdoor amenities following the province’s stay-at-home order.

On Friday, the city announced, effective immediately, it is closing its outdoor skating rinks, toboggan hill, and dog park in response to the rising cases of COVID-19.

“This is the most recent step taken to protect the health and safety of citizens and staff,” the city said in a statement.

“All decisions about closing and opening facilities continue to be informed by Vaughan-specific data and reflect guidance issued by York Region Public Health and the provincial government -- with public safety being the priority.”

The province has since mandated a stay-at-home order that enforces a limit for outdoor organized public events and social gatherings of a maximum of five people outdoors.

The government says if residents choose not to follow the rules for gatherings, organizers may be fined $10,000, each attendee may receive a $750 ticket, and enforcement personnel may break up the gathering or temporarily close the premises.

The province says you should only go out for necessities, such as:

• getting food, beverages, or medication
• going to medical appointments
• supporting vulnerable community members
• child care
• attending school or a post-secondary institution
• going to a bank
• accessing government services
• getting exercise or walking pets
• going to work, if you can’t do it remotely

Toronto and Mississauga are two other cities that recently confirmed amenities such as outdoor playgrounds, dog parks, and skating rinks will remain open, for the time being.

Vaughan says most facilities remain closed until June 2021 at the earliest.