Public Playgrounds, Pools, and Gyms … When Will They Re-Open?

It's been very warm lately and kids and people, in general, are starting to wonder when they can cool off at Public Pools, when can kids go back to the playgrounds, and when will gyms open back up?  Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa answered the question, according to WGRZ News:

“It's something that we're looking at right now. We actually anticipate putting out guidance for the municipalities in the coming days,"

A WGRZ News report references a few different sources replying to the question, "when will it happen?"  The answers received were dependent upon what Phase allows for pools, playgrounds, and gyms to open.

• A spokesperson for the YMCA said "The Y" will re-open its pools in accordance with Phase 4 and follow the Department of Health's Guidelines, which are not yet available
• The Town of Amherst Supervisor says that NY State will allow swim lessons in accordance with Phase 3, without any open swimming and when the two Amherst pools do open. they will both be open on alternate days
• The Town of Tonawanda Supervisor says their pools are closed until further notice
•  Many summer activities in Buffalo have been suspended

The WGRZ report says that gym owners don't have an answer as to when they will re-open.  West Seneca CURVES owner, Kari Baker, said this:

Haven't really been told anything. Honestly, you know, I've searched online many times to try and find something. There was strict guidance of when we shut down, but not really any guidance on when we're opening back up.  It is frustrating. I don't know whether it's three or four, and reading through the Phase 3 guidelines, there's no mention of gyms to open, or even not to open, so we don't know,"

Baker commented on the changes that will take place once gyms do open back up, according to the WGRZ News report:

"Asking people to wash their hands before and after their workout, changing shoes when they come in, and, just if they want to wear a mask they can. The staff will be masked, but the people working out can if they would like to, however, it might be a little bit difficult to work out in a mask,"

In the Town of Hamburg, according to WGRZ News, they have decided to cancel Summer Camps.  Parks will be open but no playgrounds.  Marty Denecke from the Town of Hamburg Department of Recreation, Youth, and Senior Services said this, according to the WGRZ report:

The Town of Hamburg decided to cancel day camps for the summer. Parks are open, but playgrounds are not.  Marty Denecke from the Town of Hamburg Department of Recreation, Youth, and Senior Services."Recreation, explains:

in general, is Phase 4. We'll follow the guidelines from the various health agencies, the state health department, county health department, in terms of what use that we allow, but again, people can use the parks. Now we have, we have, a number of programs related to the playgrounds, we have supervised playgrounds, in some cases, we have a lunch program there, but we have canceled those for the year,"