NORTHAMPTON — City parks have been closed for more than a month, but some are able to open starting on Friday, Health Department director Merridith O’Leary announced on Thursday.
Areas now open include Florence Recreation Fields, Agnes Fox Park, Arcanum Field, Ray Ellerbrook Field, Lampron Park, Maines Field, Look Park, Pulaski Park, Sheldon Field, and Veterans’ Field.
Play structures, skate parks, and basketball courts and school grounds are still closed.
“The intent is to safely reopen recreation areas for individual use or for family-unit recreation. The message is not to endorse day-long excursions out of the house or to encourage interactions outside the family unit, as the stay-at-home advisory remains in place,” according to a statement from the mayor’s office. “The use of the parks should be brief and designed to accomplish something that cannot otherwise be accomplished.”
The city encourages residents to avoid crowded areas and to maintain social distance. When unable to maintain social distance, masks are required in indoor and outdoor places in Massachusetts under a mandate by Gov. Charlie Baker.
Greta Jochem can be reached at gjochem@gazettenet.com.