March 24, 2020
[Sooke, BC]
The District of Sooke will be closing several public parks and all municipal playgrounds in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As of 12:00 p.m. on March 25, 2020, access will be prohibited to the following playgrounds:
- Broomhill Park (Beaton Road/Pyrite Drive)
- Woodland Creek Park (Callumwood Lane)
- Brooks Park (Brooks Road)
- Sunriver Tot Lot (Sunriver Way)
- Burr Park (Burr Road)
The following greenspaces will also be closed:
- Ed Macgregor Park
- Marine Boardwalk
- Whiffin Spit Park
Signage has been posted at all municipal playgrounds discouraging the use of play structures since March 20, due to challenges with effectively cleaning the equipment on an ongoing basis. Play structures will now have physical barriers in place and updated signage to state the structures are closed and entry is prohibited.
Similar barricades and signage will be placed at Whiffin Spit Park and entrances to Ed Macgregor Park and the Marine Boardwalk.
“We recognize that these popular outdoor spaces have been a place of refuge for families over the past week”, says Mayor Maja Tait. “As we all work together to keep ourselves and our neighbours safe, we’ve made the decision to close our linear parks. These areas have narrow pedestrian passageways that make appropriate physical distancing difficult, if not impossible.”
Residents are asked to avoid these areas and continue to maintain a physical distance of 2 meters apart. Physical distancing should also be maintained from parks maintenance staff who continue to maintain public greenspace to ensure community safety now and in the future.
Bylaw Officers will be conducting patrols of all closed playgrounds and parks to ensure compliance with the closures. Members of the public can also report any violations to (250) 642-1634.
Media Contact:
Matt Barney, Emergency Program Coordinator & EOC Director
District of Sooke Fire Rescue
250-642-5422 ext. 638 | mbarney@sooke.ca
District Contact and Social Media Channels:
Website: www.sooke.ca
Twitter: @SookeCa
Facebook: Emergency Program
District Phone: 250-642-1634
Fax: 250-642-0541
District Email: info@sooke.ca
Staff Email: Directory
Fire Dept. Phone: 250-642-5422
Fax: 250-642-3840
Media-Release-COVID19-March 24, 2020