After having deprived kids and struggling families of some of the few healthy activities they could afford for nearly a year, on Tuesday the Phoenix City Council approved a plan to begin reopening the city’s outdoor recreational amenities. Use of some city park amenities has been restricted intermittently since a Council decision on April 2, 2020.
The Council also approved Easter weekend restrictions for parks citywide. During the Easter holiday weekend (April 3 to 4), all city parks and amenities will remain open, but parking lots will be closed (those with an accessibility placard will be allowed access). Additionally, grilling and large gatherings will be prohibited.
According to the City, effective Wednesday, March 17, the process to reopen ramadas and picnic tables, basketball and volleyball courts, fitness equipment and sports complexes will begin in all city parks.
What will be open and when
Athletic field reservations and local tournaments at facilities managed by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department will resume effective March 22. Reservations and tournaments at those facilities have been paused since December 3, 2020. Organizations and teams participating in activities on these fields will be required to follow various safety procedures; including having spectators, officials and coaches wear a mask or face covering; maintaining six feet between the field and spectators; and having an on-site contact to work with city staff.
The Parks and Recreation Department will open the following 12 city pools this summer: Cortez, Deer Valley, El Prado, Encanto, Falcon, Maryvale, Paradise Valley, Pecos, Perry, Starlight, Sunnyslope and University. Those pools will operate at a reduced capacity, have modified open swim and swimming lesson formats, and staff will follow an enhanced cleaning protocol. Youth age 17 and younger will receive free admission for open swim at all pools through the city’s Kool Kids program.
The pools will operate on the city’s normal seasonal schedule, and be open six days a week from May 29 to August 1 (closed Fridays), and on Saturdays and Sundays only from August 7 to September 6.
Swim and dive teams, the water basketball league, and other aquatics activities and special events will not be offered this summer. Additional details about the 2021 pool season, and information regarding registration for swimming lessons, will be available later this month.