After 11 month closure, Chicago's parks to reopen 'soon'

Robert Besser
25 Feb 2021, 01:34 GMT+10

Following an 11-month closure, Chicago's lakefront, parks and pools are preparing to reopen.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot praised the decline in the city's rate of those testing positive for Covid-19, now at 3.4 percent.
Park maintenance staffs are preparing the facilities for reopening.

CHICAGO, Illinois - Following an 11-month closure, Chicago's lakefront, parks and pools are preparing to reopen.

Earlier this week, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot praised the decline in the city's rate of those testing positive for Covid-19. The positivity rate has now fallen to 3.4 percent, the lowest since the start of the crisis, according to the Chicago Health Department.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Park District's General Superintendent, Michael Kelly, said his facilities would reopen "as soon as possible". Park maintenance staffs are now preparing the facilities for reopening.

"During the upcoming weeks, the Chicago Park District will also unlock gates and prepare all 500-plus outdoor playgrounds and nature play spaces to reopen," according to a Park District press release.

Officials noted that those using parks and pools will need to continue to abide by covid precautions, which will be enforced.

"The district is busy preparing these facilities to open as soon as possible. Although these restrictions are being lifted, we must continue to be diligent with the safety protocols that have been instrumental in our progress," Kelly said, as quoted in the Chicago Tribune.

Kelly noted that besides preparing park facilities for reopening, staff continue to dig out from under 40 inches of snow that recently fell during a three week period.

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