Playgrounds have officially reopened in the District as Phase 2 begins Monday, June 22, the first time since March. The District reopened facilities ‘with safeguards and physical distancing recommendations in place’, including maintaining 6 feet distance from those in other households, wearing masks, and staying home when sick.
Full Phase Two Guidance from DC Health encourages kids to wash or sanitize hands and faces before and after using playground equipment and parents to keep a list of those with whom they interacted.
In his newsletter outlining phase 2 changes, Councilmember Charles Allen urged caution around playground use. “If you have kids and they’re anything like mine, all the efforts to remind them about distancing seems to go out of mind when they’re having a blast playing and suddenly see a friend they’ve been missing for weeks and months,” he wrote.
Playdates are discouraged where social distancing cannot be maintained or where someone in either household is sick. Crowds are also limited to 50 in any setting.
Fields are open for casual play. League play and high-contact sports, such as football and basketball, are still prohibited. Pools remain closed until after July 15, when they will open for structured activities like lap swimming and lessons.
Playgrounds that are locked are expected to be unlocked by the evening of June 22, Mayor Muriel Bowser said at a June 22 conference. You can see the full guidance on playgrounds and playdates here. Learn more about Phase 2 by visiting coronavirus.dc.gov/phasetwo
