City of Santa Barbara urges public to practice physical distancing at Rose Garden
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. — With warm weather and fewer activities available, Mission Historical Park has become quite the spot for people to gather.
"This park is very popular with Santa Barbara residents, it's a great place for families to come for friends to come,” City of Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Director Jill Zachary said. “Right now, that's not something we need people to be doing because we're in this health emergency."
The City of Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department has placed fencing and posted signs throughout the 10-acre park.
The signs advise people to avoid picnics and group activities to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
"Just to constantly remind people that, in order to keep our parks open, we need them to practice social distancing,” Zachary said.
Despite these signs displayed throughout the Rose Garden, it's still been difficult to get the public to obey these new rules.
"Well it's a challenging situation,” Zachary said. “I can say that we'd like to see greater compliance."
"Looks like everyone has said that we're done with social distancing,” tourist Sheldon Botler said. “I understand it, there's a point at which we need to be outdoors."
One major issue is that many people haven’t seemed to notice the signs at all.
"I actually haven't seen any signs yet,” Botler admitted. “When we got here, we were driving looking for parking, so tiny signs didn't even come up."
“What signs,” another tourist Terry Wiener asked. “I haven't noticed any signs."
In order to keep this historic site open, the city is asking the public to follow their guidelines.
"We're asking people to not stay in large groups and to practice social distancing,” Zachary said. “So that sooner rather than later, we can go back to doing what we did before."
"Being outside is wonderful, the weather is wonderful,” tourist Linda Shannon said. “I suggest everyone come out and stay six feet apart."
The Rose Garden contains over 1,500 plants and is maintained throughout the year by the Santa Barbara Rose Society, Parks Division staff and volunteers.
