Athletic courts and sport fields will begin to reopen in the coming weeks in Minneapolis.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board outlined what to expect in the next two weeks:
- Basketball courts –approximately 100 basketball courts opening across the park system
- Play areas – 118 play areas located throughout park system
- Skateparks – six skateparks
- Sport fields – almost 400 multipurpose fields for soccer, football, baseball and softball
- Tennis courts – more than 120 tennis courts across the park system
MPRB is reopening the courts and fields based on Gov. Tim Walz's Stay Safe Minnesota order, which followed the state's Stay at Home order. Under the new order, social gatherings should be limited to 10 or fewer people. The MPRB is implementing those guidelines once it reopens different facilities..
- Practice social distancing of at least six feet, except for members of the same family.
- If it is not possible to maintain social distancing throughout the activity, such as while playing a sport like basketball or volleyball where participants are often in close proximity, then you should only participate in that activity with members of your household.
- Keep in mind that even activities and sports that are typically thought of as non-contact, such as doubles tennis or pickleball, may require special accommodations to allow for social distancing.
- Do not gather in groups of more than 10 people.
- Explore the range of nearby public lands available to you; if you arrive at a park, water access site, or other public recreation land and see that it is busy, choose a different option.
- Avoid contact with shared amenities like playground equipment, picnic tables, and benches. Assume such equipment has not been sanitized. Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer if you do come in contact with shared amenities.
Over the weekend, several dining locations opened around Minneapolis parks. Lola’s Food Truck started weekend service at Bde Maka Ska and Bread & Pickle at Lake Harriet opened last weekend.
Sea Salt will open at Minnehaha Falls on May 22; Sandcastle will open at Lake Nokomis on June 3.
