Changes to parks and recreation activities because of COVID-19

Many community services that residents rely on, including parks and recreational activities are being affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

What can we help you with? View our COVID-19 information and resources page here

ABC11 will update this information on parks, summer camps, recreational opportunities as changes become available. Information is organized by county.

WAKE COUNTY

You'll notice fewer restrictions at parks in Raleigh.

Comfort stations, restrooms, picnic shelters, dog parks, skate parks, lakes and private boat launches are all open as of June 1.

The Millbrook Tennis Center is reopening its courts but singles play is strongly encouraged.

All other Raleigh parks programs and facilities will be closed at least through June 26. That includes playgrounds, water fountains, basketball, aquatic centers, pools and slash pads.

Raleigh Parks summer camps are canceled through at least June 26. Raleigh Parks said it still assessing the feasibility of offering camps scheduled after June 26, and an update is expected by June 15

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The Town of Cary said on May 29 that all Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources events through July 5 have now been canceled.

Summer camps through August have been canceled, and the Town will fully refund all deposits made to date.

The Town previously canceled all classes, camps, and programs, as well as ticketed events and rentals, through May 31. Registration for non-camp summer 2020 programming is postponed until further notice.

For refund assistance, please contact recreation.support@townofcary.org.

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On June 1, Fuquay-Varina will reopen several facilities to the public.

There will be limited programming at the Fuquay-Varina Community Center, Fuquay-Varina Parks facilities, and the Fuquay-Varina Arts Center. All participation will require registration, indoor classes will be limited to groups of 8, and participants will be required to answer a series of screening questions and wear a face covering upon entry to the facility.

Opening June 1 are:

• Fuquay-Varina Community Center

• External restrooms at Hilltop Needmore Town Park and Preserve, ancillary family restrooms at Fleming Loop Park, and water fountains at all Town parks

• Fuquay-Varina Dog Park

• Picnic Shelters (Provided 6 foot social distancing can be maintained between individuals not in the same household. No gatherings of more than 25 people allowed. The Town will exercise a flexible refund policy for shelter rentals)

The following facilities remain closed:

• Public restrooms, with the exceptions noted above

• Athletic Fields

• Museums at Ashworth Park (except for walking paths)

• Playgrounds

• Outdoor Basketball Courts

• Splash Pad

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The Town of Garner has canceled all remaining rentals at Town facilities and shelters. This includes the remaining small event rentals at White Deer Nature Center and at any Town parks. For more information, call (919) 773.4442.

All use of playground equipment at public and private parks is prohibited.

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Knightdale Mayor James Roberson has updated the Emergency Proclamation, allowing for the opening of the Knightdale Recreation Center on June 8 for camp ONLY, and the Knightdale Community Pool and Clubhouse to be opened June 13.

All other facilities will remain closed, including Knightdale Town Hall.

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Morrisville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources facilities will be closed, and organized events and scheduled rentals will be canceled, through April 5. We are closing our bathrooms within the parks but are not currently restricting access to open spaces, playgrounds, or greenways; we encourage all park users to keep in mind the CDC and other government guidelines around social distancing and minimizing unnecessary interactions. The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources facilities that will be closed, include the following: Cedar Fork Community Center, Cedar Fork District Park, Church Street Park, Healthy Food Hub, Northwest Park, Morrisville Community Park, Shiloh Community Park and Luther Green Community Center. More info here.

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As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department is taking a slow and cautious approach to resuming athletics programming.

PRCR officials announced June 11 that Youth Fall Baseball and Softball registration is underway for boys ages 6-16 and girls ages 6-14 and will continue through Sunday, July 12. A participant's eligibility is determined by his or her age on April 30, 2020, and a birth certificate is required for new participants. The in-town registration fee is $60 and the out-of-town fee is $100.

Online registration is available here. Team placement and draft information, along with additional registration details and league rules are also provided online and at the Wake Forest Town Hall, 301 S. Brooks St.

Players in every league except "Rookie League" must participate in a draft to determine team placement. The Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department will conduct drafts for each league in August and in July will contact all registrants with draft/placement information.

Team practices will begin in August and games will be played through mid-October.

The PRCR Department is also accepting team registrations for Co-Rec Church Softball through Friday, July 31. Online registration is available here. The entry fee is $550 per team, and the league is limited to participants ages 18 and older.

Beginning in mid-August, league games will be played primarily on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday evenings.

The PRCR is accepting team registrations for Adult Summer Co-Rec Kickball through Tuesday, June 30. Online registration is available here. The entry fee is $225 per team, and the league is limited to participants ages 18 and older.

League games will be played primarily on weeknights and Sunday afternoons from mid-July through late August.

Anyone interested in participating who does not have a team can sign up as a free agent, then assigned to a team in need of players.

Because of the ever-evolving situation surrounding COVID-19, PRCR-sponsored athletic programs are subject to change with limited notice. Wake Forest officials will continue to closely monitor updates and follow guidelines from the Wake County Health Department, N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHSS) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). These guidelines have been implemented in protocols established by the Town to address potential exposure to the coronavirus and protect our community and staff.

Effective Monday, June 8, the Wake Forest Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department will open all Town-maintained athletic fields at all Town parks, except Flaherty Park Field #3 which is closed for maintenance. The fields, which have been closed due to COVID-19, will be available for rent beginning Monday, June 15.

These amenities are not sanitized daily, and visitors must use at their own risk. In addition, all users must follow group size (25 max) and social-distancing guidelines.

Out of concern for public safety, PRCR offices and buildings, including Joyner Park Community Center, Flaherty Park Community Center, Wake Forest Community House and Alston-Massenburg Center, remain closed to the public. A limited number of programs are being offered at these facilities, so only registered participants are allowed to enter.

In addition, playgrounds remain closed and drinking fountains are turned off.

The Taylor Street Park Sprayground, 416 N. Taylor St., is scheduled to re-open Saturday, June 13, at 10 a.m.

Free and open to the public, the sprayground will operate daily in two-hour sessions, then close 30 minutes for cleaning, Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. and Sundays from 1-8 p.m. The facility is scheduled to close for the season on Tuesday, Sept. 8.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks & Recreation said Monday, March 30 that all trails and parks are open but people should maintain proper social distancing (six feet away from someone else) and avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people.

All Fayetteville-Cumberland playgrounds are closed as of Friday, March 27 and remain closed.

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The City of Fayetteville said that beginning Wednesday, March 25, all Parks & Recreation rec centers will be closed until further notice.

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The Town of Hope Mills has closed Parks & Recreation; staff is working from home and a limited amount of staff is coming into work.

The Town has made the decision to close Hope Mills Lake Park effective Monday, March 30 at 5 p.m. Hope Mills Lake will remain open to kayaking and boating, with access to the kayak launch still available. Fishing will not be allowed.

At this time, the walking trails at the Municipal Park and Golfview Greenway will remain open to the public, provided citizens adhere to social distancing guidelines.

Access to the Municipal Park and Golfview Greenway walking trails will be permitted until 6 p.m. each day.

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The Town of Spring Lake Parks and Recreation Department is closed as is the Multipurpose Community Center. All sports and events are canceled. The town's Senior Center is also closed.

EDGECOMBE/NASH COUNTIES

The Boys & Girls Clubs Lucy Ann Boddie Brewer Unit in Rocky Mount closed March 23 because of safety concerns from the coronavirus.

"It's sad because we do want to stay open and serving the kids who need us the most," said Ron Green, CEO. "There are a lot of families who need us right now, but the risk has become a little too great."

LEE COUNTY

The City of Sanford has closed all municipal parks effective immediately, the city announced Friday, March 20. The City of Sanford owns or operates eight parks in Sanford's city limits: Depot Park, the front section of Kiwanis Family Park, Walter McNeil Jr. Park, Third Street Park, Maple Avenue Park, Carr Creek Park, Sunset Park, and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.

The Endor Iron Furnace Greenway remains open to the public.

The Sanford Municipal Golf Course remains open with safety precautions in place.

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Lee County Parks and Recreation has suspended the following programs until further notice: Youth T-Ball/Softball/Baseball; Adult Softball League. The following are canceled: Gymnastics Spring Session; Youth Track and Field; Tiny Tots Session III; Youth Art Session IV; Youth Dance Session III

Lee County Parks and Recreation reopened most open space and trails at county-owned parks on Saturday, May 9. Some restrictions will remain in place at the parks to meet the guidelines set by Governor Cooper in Executive Order 138 that eases restrictions in the statewide stay-at-home order.

"We are happy to be reopening our parks to the public," said Joseph Keel, LCG Parks and Recreation Director. "We know people are looking forward to getting outdoors more and enjoying our trails and open space. Some limitations remain in place but this is a good first step and we continue to work with our government partners to explore and plan for next steps that will create greater opportunity and access for the public to enjoy our various park offerings."

While county-owned parks will reopen to the public all playground equipment, basketball courts, and facility rentals remain closed at this time. There will be no organized events of any type allowed in the parks due to social distancing requirements; citizens are reminded to observe and follow social distancing guidelines when visiting county parks.

Parks will open with regular hours.

Park visitors are asked to bring their own hand sanitizer and wipes for their personal use.

ALAMANCE COUNTY

Burlington Recreation and Parks has closed all its indoor facilities. This includes Fairchild Park Community Center, Mayco Bigelow Community Center, Forest Hills Community Center, Thataways Youth Center, Kernodle Senior Center, Maynard Aquatic Center.

All activities, youth and adult athletic registration have been frozen until further notice

All parks, greenways, marinas, and the Indian Valley Golf Course are open to the public. Please practice social distancing.

ORANGE COUNTY

All onsite recreation summer camps for 2020 have been cancled, the county said Thursday, May 28. However, the county does plan to offer summer enrichment virtual program opportunities. Additionally, opportunities may arise as the summer progresses to create new offerings.

Full refunds will be issued for summer camp fees that have been paid to date.

For residents interested in engaging their children in summer enrichment activities from home, Recreation is offering many canceled camps on a virtual basis, beginning June 15.

Full list of Orange County canceled programs

All Orange County recreation programming/activities (classes and sports leagues) are suspended until further notice. Central Recreation Center will be closed to activities. Parks will be open on their regular schedules, but shelter reservations will not be taken for the next two weeks. Existing reservations in that time period are being canceled.

Orange County libraries are closed to the public. All activities and classes are canceled until further notice.

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The Town of Chapel Hill said Friday, May 29, that all large-scale summer events and programs are cancelled, including:

• Parks and Recreation summer day camps at the Community Center, Hargraves, and Teen Center

• Library Summer Blast performances and programs

• July 4th Fireworks and Community Celebration

• Movies Under the Stars

• National Trails Day activities

• All Parks and Recreation programs beginning before Monday, July 6

CHATHAM COUNTY

Chatham County Parks and Recreation is canceling or postponing multiple programs, events and reservations.

Spring volleyball, jump rope, and A Day at Camp are canceled. All other youth and adult sports programs and art classes are postponed until further notice.

All parks will remain open and operating on normal hours. Outdoor Facility reservations for recreation programming are suspended, and there will be no new indoor or shelter reservations taken at this time.

MOORE COUNTY

The Village of Pinehurst plans to open these facilities to the public on June 15:

• Village Hall/Assembly Hall

• Cannon Park Community Center

For the safety of our employees and residents, plastic shields will be installed at counters, free-standing hand sanitizer stations will be available, and floor markings will be installed every six feet for those waiting in line.

Rentals of the following facilities are cancelled through June 26:

• Village Hall/Assembly Hall

• Cannon Park Community Center

• Fair Barn

All Parks and Recreation programs, athletics, activities, trips, and open gym times have been suspended until further notice. The Splash Pad at Rassie Wicker Park will also remain closed at this time.