Glendale Unified tightens restrictions on recreational facilities during coronavirus outbreak
Although Glendale Unified School District shut down schools along with all on-campus sports and recreational facilities on March 16, district officials are tightening restrictions on all open areas where people could gather in large groups.
Elementary school sites are completely fenced off to the public, but some portions of middle and high school campuses are open.
Usually, community members are allowed to use campus facilities for recreation or exercise when schools are closed for time off such as spring break, according to Supt. Vivian Ekchian.
However, during the coronavirus pandemic, the school district’s recreation and exercise facilities are closed to the community, she added.
Crescenta Valley High School is the only campus that has a formal agreement with the community to keep sports and recreational facilities open to the public.
However, in an email sent to parents on Friday morning, the high school announced it is closing its track, basketball court and fields.
“In order to protect the health and safety of our community and in accordance with guidance from state and local health officials to prevent the spread of COVID-19, all Crescenta Valley High School sports and recreation facilities are closed until further notice,” according to the email.
The announcement follows Glendale’s directive after city officials announced on Tuesday the closure of hiking trails and park recreation facilities, such as fire roads, basketball and pickleball courts, sports fields, playgrounds, barbecue areas and workout equipment.
Public health guidelines require people to keep a 6-foot distance from each other when outdoors.
At grab-and-go meal centers and Google Chromebook pick-up locations on school sites this week, staff members created signs as reminders to maintain a safe physical distance.
