As King County entered phase 2 of the Washington’s SafeStart reopening plan on Friday, June 19th, the Cities of North Bend, Snoqualmie, along with Si View Metropolitan Park District, announced they have begun the process of reopening park amenities and services – which includes playgrounds to small groups.
This marks a change as last month both cities said they weren’t planning to evaluate reopening certain park amenities – like playground and skateparks – until phase 3.
According to a news release, “As facilities re-open, there will be changes in operations to ensure safety for participants and staff. Please recreate responsibly while exploring our local green spaces and follow the latest public health guidelines.”
Those guidelines include social distancing and wearing masks when distancing cannot be achieved.
The City of North Bend stated, “We are committed to operating our parks, facilities, and programs in a way that ensures the health and safety of our community and staff, therefore those activities where physical distancing is not practical remain closed at this time. We appreciate your patience during this transition period and encourage you to stay informed of the latest updates posted on Si View’s website. We look forward to resuming operations as soon as possible.”
North Bend, Snoqualmie Open Park Facilities and Programs:
- PARKS and TRAILS where physical distancing can be maintained are OPEN. Residents are encourage you to limit travel and visit parks near their home. Limit outdoor activities to family outings or groups of 5 or less people outside of your immediate household and maintain 6-foot physical distancing.
- DISC GOLF at South Fork Landing is OPEN for limited play with safety requirements posted on site. No organized leagues.
- Use of BALLFIELDS and SPORTS COURTS for groups of 5 or fewer people outside of the household is ALLOWED. Please limit stays so others may enjoy the fields and courts. Physical distancing must be observed during all activities.
- TORGUSON Climbing wall is OPEN.
- TORGUSON PUMP TRACK is OPEN for single riders. Maintain 6-foot physical distancing at all times, if park looks busy to accommodate physical distancing, come back another time.
- PLAYGROUNDS are OPEN for small groups of 5 or less. Play on equipment in groups of 5 or less. Keep children from different households 6 feet apart. Wash hands or use hand sanitizer after using play equipment.
- PARK RESTROOMS are OPEN with modified operations. All restrooms are intended for single use to limit crowding. Please practice physical distancing and line up outside.
- Snoqualmie (only) SKATEPARK is open to groups of 5 or less. Maintain 6-foot physical distancing
- PICNIC SHELTER RESERVATIONS for groups of 5 or less are OPEN.
- Limited FIELD RESERVATIONS for youth and adult team sports are OPEN. Groups must have a Return to Play plan in place and separate groups to 5 or fewer players in each area. Contact pertinent park district for reservations.
North Bend, Snoqualmie Facilities and Program Closures:
- ORGANIZED SPORTS TOURNAMENTS and GAMES are SUSPENDED until our community enters Phase 3.
- TORGUSON SKATE PARK is closed. Note that this amenity is under renovation until 2021.
- Snoqualmie Valley YMCA is reopening in phase 3; however, some programs are running in phase 2 such as children’s summer day camps and some virtual offerings.
- MOST IN-PERSON RECREATION PROGRAMS are SUSPENDED until communities enters Phase 3 unless modifications permit an earlier start date.
- FACILITY RENTALS are SUSPENDED until Phase 3 unless group size requires a longer delay.
- SI VIEW POOL is CLOSED until community enters Phase 4 or until operations can be modified to meet re-opening requirements.
- SI VIEW COMMUNITY EVENTS such as summer concerts are SUSPENDED until local requirements allow for operation of large-scale events.
Both cities encourage residents to recreate responsibly, stay home when sick, practice physical distancing at all times when in public, and wash hands often.
