Park protocols for people and pets

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Park protocols – for people and pets

5/16/2020 10:00 AM

Stay two metres away from others when visiting parks and trails

With the Victoria Day long weekend underway, the City of Vaughan is urging everyone to follow physical distancing protocols to help stop the spread of COVID-19 – especially when visiting parks and trails.

All park amenities – including playgrounds, sports fields, tennis and basketball courts, dog parks and benches – remain closed until further notice. Those walking through parks and open trails must stay at least two metres (approximately six feet) away from others. Congregating in parks and other public spaces while physical distancing measures are in effect is not permitted.

The City also urges residents to avoid visiting parks outside of their neighbourhood or community, and to wash hands thoroughly and often. Park facilities are not sanitized and high-touch surfaces – such as playgrounds, benches and outdoor fitness equipment – must continue to be avoided.

The City’s Emergency Measures By-law provides authority, subject to the Municipal Act, to Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua and City staff to further enforce physical distancing measures, in addition to other orders during this state of emergency such as limiting access to public property. Failure to comply with this by-law is an offence and subject to fines ranging from $500 to $100,000.

Physical distancing is important for pets, too.

Vaughan Animal Services urges owners to keep their dogs and cats away from other people and their pets. Cats should be kept indoors or in a secure outdoor enclosure and dogs should be kept on a leash, with their collar and ID tag on at all times, when out for a walk or in a park.

Free-roaming pets are vulnerable to a multitude of dangers. Almost all conflicts between wildlife and domestic dogs occur when dogs are off-leash. Off-leash dog owners will be subject to a fine between $105 to $400 under the City’s Park’s and Animal Control By-laws.

The City is offering many online resources, programs and activities for people to enjoy from the comfort – and safety – of home this holiday weekend:

Virtual story time, bilingual reading materials, streaming services and more from Vaughan Public Libraries
Virtual fitness classes and online Vaughan Playschool activities through Recreation Services
Virtual tours of the City’s corporate art collection on Flickr

For questions, contact Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or visit vaughan.ca/COVID19. To receive the latest updates as they happen, residents are encouraged to sign up for City Update eNewsletter at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate and follow the City’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels.

Those who feel unwell and believe they have symptoms related to COVID-19 should contact York Region Public Health or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. For additional information and resources on COVID-19, visit York Region's website at york.ca/COVID19.

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