Santa Maria Rec and Parks Department considers reopening for gatherings while maintaining health protocols
SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Hayze Mariscal likes to juggle at Centennial Rotary Park in Santa Maria.
For him, the park is a place for exploration, meeting new people and connecting.
He’s one of many park goers excited about the reopening.
Another is Tina Rios.
"I'm excited because we need people and people is important you to know that there’s people around us," said Rios.
Places about to reopen include spaces where families gather like picnic areas.
"It’s been a long time so really excited about getting the facilities back open Into the public," said director Alex Posada at the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department.
Managers with the department are looking at keep gatherings to a maximum of three households per group.
"If people follow the Health Order and continue to be safe wearing masks and distancing, my hope is we can open up more areas in the parks and have more events in the near future," said supervisor Gabriel Velasco at the Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department.
For those who made park reservations before the pandemic, Posada said your plans haven’t been forgotten.
"We are honoring reservations that were made a year ago as long as they meet the COVID-10 guidelines. It’s important to remind everybody there are guidelines like mask wearing required and social distancing is required for their own safety," said Posada.
Managers with the department said city parks are expected to reopen for limited gatherings within the next two weeks.