Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks will begin removing exercise and playground equipment after numerous incidents of residents not adhering to social distancing guidelines.

Mayor Jack Young and the Department of Recreation and Parks Executive Director Reginald Moore have announced that the City will begin securing exercise and playground equipment from parks in Baltimore. The move is in response to a lack of social distancing at some of the 145 playgrounds within the City.

From the press release:

“After seeing people use this equipment despite the need to practice social distancing while in public, I asked Executive Director Reginald Moore to secure these locations,” Mayor Young said. “Our staff will continue to make every effort to ensure residents can stay fit and active.”

BCRP will begin securing all playground and exercise equipment as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19 through the use of these facilities.

Parks and recreation departments across the state are hurrying to implement measures to ensure social distancing guidelines in public parks are upheld as more and more people utilize parks for their open space during the COVID-19 crisis. Guidelines recommend that individuals stay six or more feet apart, limit gatherings to ten people or less, and refrain from touching surfaces like playground and exercise equipment. Parks departments began taping off playgrounds when the crisis began, but residents are still attempting to use the equipment despite new park rules and federal guidelines.

For more information see previous Conduit Street coverage Parks Departments Enforcing Social Distancing to Prevent Spread of COVID-19.