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Public Parks Closing, Restricting Access

City of Paducah Public Information Officer Pamela Spencer
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City of Paducah

Some county and city officials in west Kentucky are adding public parks to the growing list of places with restricted access, in an effort to encourage “social distancing” and slow the spread of COVID-19

City of Paducah Public Information Officer Pamela Spencer said city park amenities with gated enclosures including the dog park, skatepark, and Noble Park tennis and basketball courts are now closed to the public. She said park features which are not gated -- including playgrounds --  are also closed and will be marked with caution tape and signage as a reminder.

 

The closure also applies to the parks and recreation building located at 1400 H.C. Mathis Drive and recreation center located at 1527 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.

 

“We are not closing the parks in Paducah and are encouraging passive enjoyment of the outdoors and the green spaces at our parks while implementing social distancing standards,” said Mark Thompson, City of Paducah Parks and Recreation Director. “However, in an effort to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus, we are restricting access to those features such as playgrounds that encourage social gathering and may have numerous contact points.” 

 

Spencer said the city parks will now close daily at sunset until further notice.

 

Marshall County Parks Director Britney Heath closed Mike Miller Park in Draffenville and all its amenities. She said the closure was in response to Gov. Andy Beshear’s order issued Tuesday.

 

“The gate at the entrance [of Mike Miller Park] will be locked at all times and no one will be permitted to enter for any reason, other than employees,” she said.

 

Heath said pavilions and playgrounds at all day-use parks in Marshall County are included in the closure. But, she said boat ramps and boat docks will remain open at this time. 

Rachel’s interest in journalism began early in life, reading newspapers while sitting in the laps of her grandparents. Those interactions ignited a thirst for language and stories, and she recalls getting caught more than once as a young girl hiding under the bed covers with a flashlight and book because she just couldn’t stop reading.
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