City of Gulfport
2401 53rd Street South
Gulfport, FL 33707  
(727) 893-1000
For Immediate Release, 5/28/2020 4:30PM
PLAYGROUNDS ARE NOW OPEN
As of today, City pavilions and playgrounds including fitness areas are now open.

The City of Gulfport is committed to the health and wellbeing of the citizens we serve and staying physically active is one of the best ways to keep your mind and body healthy. We encourage residents and visitors using our recreation amenities to follow the recommended actions in helping prevent the spread of COVID-19.

  • Stay at least six feet from others at all times. This might make some open areas, trails, and paths better to use. Do not go into a crowded area.
  • Avoid gathering with others outside of your household.
  • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • Bring hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to use if soap and water are not available.

Effective Monday, June 1, 2020, the basketball court and volleyball courts will open for pickup and league play only. In addition, all City cosponsored special events remain suspended until further notice.

People can visit parks, trails, and open spaces as a way to relieve stress, get some fresh air and vitamin D, stay active, and safely connect with others. Should you need to speak to a City Staff member, please call (727) 893-1000.


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GULFPORT LIBRARY TO REOPEN WITH NORMAL BUSINESS HOURS JUNE 1

The Gulfport Public Library is committed to the health and well-being of the citizens we serve. Effective Monday, June 1, 2020, the Gulfport Library will reopen with limited services to the public, observing best practices for the safety of both citizens and staff. If you have questions please contact library staff at (727) 893-1073 or (727) 893-1074 during normal business hours, Monday – Friday 10:00AM – 7:00PM and Saturday 10:00AM – 4:00PM.

Available Services beginning June 1:

  • We will continue parking lot pickup for those who do not wish to enter the building
  • You may come in the building, browse the stacks, and take out books
  • Computer use will be available on a limited bases. Patrons will have a one hour time limit daily; your time is non-renewable
  • Starting June 8th the Library will be a designated Summer Break Spot for grab and go food service for children ages 18 and under. The Summer Break Spot is presented by the Department of Agriculture program brought to you by the Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness in partnership with the Gulfport Public Library
  • Reference services will be available
  • Faxing will be available

We are taking several precautionary steps to ensure the safety of the public and staff:

  • Staff will wear masks and gloves when coming to your car for parking lot pickup
  • Limited computer access will be available to maintain social distancing
  • The building will only be at 25% capacity
  • Plexi has been installed as a safety barrier for both patrons and staff
  • We have designated waiting areas that are 6 feet apart
  • Meeting and Study rooms will be closed
  • Programs will continue virtually; via ZOOM and Facebook Live. Some programs will offer supplies or kits available to be picked up at the library during regular business hours
  • We will not be accepting donations
  • The meeting room will continue to be closed to community groups
  • Additional cleaning procedures, including a daily disinfecting will take place. Between every parking lot pickup, staff will continue to change gloves, and the computer areas will be cleaned off after every patron.

If you continue to self-isolate and require library services:

The Gulfport Public Library has a number of free services patrons can utilize to checkout eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, or learn a language. Simply go to the https://mygulfport.us/gpl /. Programs will continue to be held virtually.


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CITY OF GULFPORT SUMMER RECREATION PROGRAM
The Gulfport Recreation Summer Program will run June 1 st through July 31 st , from 7:30am-5:00pm (No extended care available)

The City of Gulfport Recreation Division has been working very hard to update our Summer Program policies and procedures to adhere to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Guidelines. All Summer Program registrations will be limited to Gulfport residents and City Employees. Registrations will be accepted Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm. Health checks will be required for entry to the facility and registration paperwork needs to be fully completed with all lines filled out correctly. Proof of residency is required at the time of registration.

Campers are required to be registered for the entire 9-week summer program. Group sizes are 9 children to 1 coach. The cost for the 9-week program is $495 with 50% due at registration and the remaining balance due by June 26 th . At this time, we will not be accepting weekly registrations.

The City of Gulfport Recreation will continue to observe CDC guidelines and make any adjustments as necessary. Staff will clean, sanitize and disinfect the facility multiple times throughout the summer camp day. Children will remain in the same group with the same coach each day. The center will also remain closed to the public during Summer Program operating hours. City Staff will be conducting curbside drop-off health checks (which includes a non-contact temperature check and symptom screening) from 7:30-8:30am as well as curbside pick-up for parents from 4:00-5:00pm.

The Gulfport Summer Rec. program will not be offering field trips, swim lessons, guest speakers, karate or hip hop dance classes. We will also not be participating in the Summer Food Program, so children will be required to bring a healthy morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack.

Please do not hesitate to call the Recreation Center at 727-893-1068 for questions or more information.


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CITY OF GULFPORT 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION CANCELLATION

In an abundance of caution, the City of Gulfport has cancelled the annual 4th of July Celebration and respective event activities including the fireworks program, community parade, kids fishing derby, and sand sculpture contest. The 4th of July fireworks program is re-scheduled to Saturday, September 5, 2020 (Labor Day Weekend).
 
“It’s one thing if policy decisions were being driven by economics to reopen; we understand that and support our businesses," Gulfport Mayor Samuel Henderson said. “But as a city inviting people to gather in close quarters where it’s going to be very difficult to maintain social distancing, we were very uncomfortable inviting people to congregate that way.”
 
All Special Events including the Tuesday Fresh Market and the monthly first Friday and third Saturday Artwalks are cancelled until further notice. The Gulfport Casino’s public events remain closed.

The City of Gulfport will continue to closely monitor COVID-19 and an ongoing evaluation will take place on the events closure. For more information, please call (727) 893-1000.


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On Tuesday, May 5, 2020,  Gulfport City Council approved  the City of Gulfport  COVID-19 Small Business Gateway Grant Program for eligible small businesses . This is an emergency grant program for the City of Gulfport’s negatively impacted independently operated small businesses. The program guidelines and application are located on the City’s website at  https://mygulfport.us/gatewaygrant/ .

CITY OF GULFPORT
VIRTUAL HURRICANE SEMINAR
LIVE ON GTV640 TONIGHT AT 7PM
The City of Gulfport will host the annual Hurricane Seminar live at 7 p.m. tonight (May 28, 2020) on GTV Spectrum Cable channel 640 and at the following streaming link.


Warning Coordination Meteorologist, Daniel Noah from the National Weather Service at the Tampa Bay office will be the guest speaker. Any questions you would like submitted for the seminar’s Q&A session, please email them to kossola@mygulfport.us or call (727) 893-1118. 
(Please note, the live link above will not be active until the broadcast is started)
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VIRTUAL PRIDE FLAG RAISING

City Councilmember, Paul Ray, the LGBTQ Resource Center President, Susan Gore, and State Representative, Jennifer Webb honor pride month with participation in the LGBTQ Flag Raising at the Gulfport Public Library. The video of the ceremony is below.
Apply by June 1 for help paying overdue rent, mortgage or utility bills through Pinellas CARES. If you’ve lost your job or income because of  #COVID19 , you may qualify for one-time assistance up to $4,000. Text COVIDCARES to 898211.
Full details: 
Apply by June 1 for a  #Pinellas  CARES Small Business Grant: Small business owners with a commercial location in the county can apply to be considered for a one-time $5,000 grant to
cover  #COVID19  related
expenses.  www.pced.org/cares
Visit Pinellas County Government COVID-19 Media Center at
The State of Florida is responding to COVID-19. In an effort to keep Florida residents and visitors safe and aware regarding the status of the virus, the Florida Department of Health will issue updates every day, seven days per week. 

To find the most up-to-date information and guidance on COVID-19, please visit the Department of Health’s dedicated  COVID-19 webpage . For information and advisories from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), please visit the  CDC COVID-19 website . For more information about current travel advisories issued by the U.S. Department of State, please visit the  travel advisory website .
Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Call Center is Available 24/7
Call: 1 (866) 779-6121
For additional information and helpful links regarding COVID-19, please visit the Florida Department of Health COVID-19 website at  FloridaHealth.gov/COVID-19 .
All State of Florida Executive Orders
For the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) latest updates, please visit, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ .