Palmetto Bay to Reopen Two Parks, Will Support County Guidelines on Small Businesses and Retail

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Palmetto Bay, FL - May 15, 2020

In keeping with Miami-Dade County’s plan to work toward the “new normal’, the Village of Palmetto Council last night approved a plan to re-open Coral Reef Park and Palmetto Bay Park on Monday, May 18 th for passive and certain recreational activities. For the time being, all other Village parks will remain closed.

The following rules will be applied:

  • Coral Reef Park and Palmetto Bay Park will be open starting at 7 am on Monday, May 18, 2020. Park hours will be 7 am to 8 pm, Monday to Sunday.
  • Visitors are encouraged to enjoy the park in 1 to 2 hour intervals.
  • The main parking lot and the east side parking lot (off SW 77th Avenue) at Coral Reef Park will be open. Signage at the entrance of each parking lot will be provided displaying the park hours and new park rules.
  • The parking lots at Palmetto Bay Park will remain closed.
  • All park users will be required to wear facial coverings, except children under the age of 2, folks who have trouble breathing due to a chronic pre-existing condition, or persons engaged in strenuous physical activities.
  • Groups must be limited to 10 people or fewer and everyone, except family groups, must adhere to the social distancing rule of 6 feet apart, both within groups and with other park visitors.
  • Park staff will take appropriate measures to keep facilities clean and sanitized in accordance with CDC and Florida Health Department Guidelines.
  • To ensure that social distancing is observed and to ensure that all patrons have access to the facilities, parks staff may limit the number of persons using the trails, paths or fields.
  • The paths at Coral Reef Park and Palmetto Bay Park will be open for walking, jogging, running, etc. The paths are unidirectional and floor arrows will help patrons identify the path direction. Bicycling and skating on the paths are not currently allowed.
  • The tennis courts at Coral Reef Park will open for singles play and private one-on-one lessons.
  • Additionally, kayaking, and racquetball courts will be open. Social distancing guidelines are to be followed for these amenities as well.
  • Passive uses of the parks are allowed provided that social distancing is maintained; table games, picnics and parties are not allowed.
  • At this time, the following amenities will remain closed or will not be allowed under current conditions:
  • batting cages
  • restrooms
  • playgrounds and exercise equipment
  • recreation buildings and concessions
  • skate park
  • basketball courts
  • volleyball courts,
  • picnic tables
  • parking lots at Palmetto Bay Park
  • bleachers and dugouts
  • restrooms and water fountains
  • picnic shelters/pavilions/gazebo
  • softball fields, baseball fields, football, and soccer fields (individual play only, no organized sports or pick-up games, and
  • all sports field lighting to remain off

Our parks staff will be onsite to monitor visitors to ensure these guidelines are followed. However, we do ask for your assistance in following these rules which are being implemented to safeguard your health and the health of your fellow neighbors.

The Palmetto Bay Village Manager will be issuing an Emergency Order allowing for the opening of our parks under the above-cited conditions.

In addition to the park openings, the Village Council also discussed the opening of non-essential businesses. Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez had previously closed all non-essential businesses in the incorporated and unincorporated areas of Miami-Dade County, which includes Palmetto Bay. Earlier this week, the County Mayor issued new guidelines in draft form to guide the re-opening of the non-essential businesses. The " New Normal; A Guide for Residents and Commercial Establishments " provides specific guidelines and rules for businesses to follow. The document is currently in draft form, but the final document is anticipated to be released by Sunday. The expected re-opening date for non-essential businesses is Monday, May 18, 2020.


The final order is expected to include the following:

  • Restaurants and retailers at 50 percent capacity, grooming salons at 25 percent capacity and the re-opening of small businesses.
  • Phase 1 does NOT include: beaches, community/condo pools, gyms, nightclubs, bars, or theaters.

Palmetto Bay's code enforcement staff along with our policing unit will be working to ensure that the established guidelines are followed. Again, we ask our business owners to observe these rules as we transition to a new status of normalcy in our community.


CONTACT:

Kelly Craig
Public Information Officer
kcraig@palmettobay-fl.gov
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