Some recreation areas open with restrictions in place

posted on: 5/22/2020; updated: 5/29/2020

Some recreation areas are open again to the public, including the Longhill Park Dog Park, pickleball and tennis courts, and the Bellamy Park Disc Golf Course.

Several restrictions will be posted and remain in place at these locations until further notice, in response to the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and in accordance with new state guidelines for reopening parks and recreation facilities.

Use of these locations will be prohibited to those who exhibit and symptoms of the coronavirus, have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days, or are at risk due to known factors including underlying health conditions.

Before using these facilities, people are asked to wash their hands with soap and water or use hand sanitizer, clean and wipe down any equipment, bring a personal-use water bottle, consider wearing face coverings and gloves, not congregating in a parking lot, and to play with members of their own household or those considered low risk. People using these recreation facilities and amenities are also asked to limit their time on site and leave the area once finished. People are also asked to wash their hands or use hand sanitizer after leaving the location.

Each location has additional, specific guidelines and restrictions in place, including:

PICKLEBALL AND TENNIS COURTS

• Pickleball courts are available on a reservation-only basis. No recreation and drop-in play are allowed at this time. Recreation attendants will be on hand to monitor. Pickleball sign-ups are available at https://www.dover.nh.gov/government/city-operations/recreation/.
• Tennis courts are available first come, first served. The tennis courts at Woodman Park Elementary School and Horne Street Elementary School are the only courts open at this time.
• Consider playing singles only. Playing doubles is not conducive for six feet of social distancing and leads to incidental contact with playing partners
• If you do elect to play doubles, consider playing with only those who reside in your household
• Try to stay at least six feet apart from other players. Do not make physical contact, such as shaking hands, high fives, or end of game “paddle taps”
• Avoid touching your face after handling a ball, racquet or other equipment
  Use hand sanitizer between games
• Have each player use their own ball
• Use your paddle/racquet/foot to pick up balls and hit them to your opponent. Avoid using your hands to pick up the balls
• Avoid changing ends of the court. If you do, teams should switch via opposite sides of the net
• Maintain proper social distancing from other players between games and during time-outs

LONGHILL PARK DOG PARK

• Limit of 10 people inside the fenced in area at any one time and maintain 6 feet of social distancing throughout your stay
• Use the Dog Park in concert with others and be aware of others who may be waiting to enter if there are 10 people inside
• Only in an emergency should dog owners be in close proximity to other people
  Do not touch any other’s dogs or leashes

BELLAMY PARK DISC GOLF COURSE

• Limit of 4 players per group and maintain six feet of social distancing throughout play
• Use the 10-foot circle rule: if your disc lands within 10 feet of the basket pick it up and count that as your final stroke to limit the number of discs in the basket and getting in close proximity to other players.
• Do not touch any other players discs or equipment

Use of all three facilities is at the user's risk.

Signs will be posted this week at all affected locations.

All other Recreation facilities, parks and trails remain closed at this time, except for walking, running and exercise, as permitted in Gov. Chris Sununu's Emergency Order #17. People should practice physical distancing when using the city's parks and trails for walking or running.

Residents and families are reminded to practice physical distancing with their children and follow guidelines from state and local health officials intended to curb community spread, including:

• Do not gather in groups of 10 or more.
• Maintain 6 feet of distance from other people at all times.
• Avoid touching surfaces including playground equipment, benches or other sports equipment that are handled by others.
• Do not participate in activities involving physical contact or the sharing of equipment such as team and contact sports.

Because parks and other recreation areas remain closed, park structures and other amenities, including picnic tables, swings, and playground equipment and structures, are not being disinfected.

For more information, contact Dover Recreation at 516-6401.