By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
The “closed” signs will remain up on Sea Isle City’s parks and playgrounds for now.
The city is not yet ready to reopen its recreation sites during the coronavirus pandemic, although state and Cape May County parks will welcome back visitors beginning Saturday.
“Even though we are not opening our recreation facilities this weekend, we look forward to the day we do,” city spokeswoman Katherine Custer said. “When that happens, we will be prepared to offer all of the amenities within the guidelines given to us from state and county health officials.”
Sea Isle has joined with most of the other Jersey Shore communities in closing their beaches, promenades, boardwalks, parks and playgrounds to the public to comply with Gov. Phil Murphy’s social distancing guidelines to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Representing a partial lifting of those guidelines, the governor is reopening state parks and golf courses starting 7 a.m. Saturday. He characterizes it as a “crucial test” for determining whether the state is ready to begin transitioning from its lockdown to a return to normal outdoor activities.
Murphy is giving counties the authority to open their parks. Cape May County, citing the governor’s action, has decided to reopen its public parks at 7 a.m. Saturday. The popular Cape May County Zoo, though, will remain closed because Murphy has ordered zoos statewide to remain closed.
“We are happy to reopen our parks to assist with the mental health of our county residents,” Cape May County Freeholder E. Marie Hayes, liaison to the county parks, said in a statement. “It is also important to provide additional safe places for people to get out and exercise.”
Sea Isle does not have any state or county parks within its borders.
Although state and county parks are reopening, Murphy has ordered picnic areas, playgrounds, pavilions, restrooms and any interior buildings within the parks to remain closed.
Social distancing of six feet must be maintained, excluding family members, caretakers, household members or romantic partners. Face coverings should be worn by park employees and visitors in areas where social distancing is hard to maintain, according to the governor’s executive order.
No organized or contact activities or sports shall be allowed and no gatherings of people will be permitted in the state and county parks for now.
Sea Isle, despite being a small town, is known for its array of public recreation sites, including the Dealy Field athletic complex, the Townsends Inlet Waterfront Park and playgrounds scattered around town.
Along with the beaches and Promenade, all of the public recreation sites will remain closed for the time being while Sea Isle considers the appropriate time for safely reopening them to the public.
However, Sea Isle reopened its 87-slip municipal marina on 42nd Place in April to boaters after Murphy allowed marinas, boatyards and marine manufacturers statewide to resume operations.
Sea Isle Mayor Leonard Desiderio said in a statement Friday that as the weeks roll by, the city will continue to work toward reopening the beaches, recreation facilities, businesses and churches as it looks to return to “business as usual.”
“Please keep up the good work so I can one day soon announce the opening of our beaches and share more good news with you,” he said of the community’s efforts to maintain safe social distancing.
