Park protocols – for people and pets
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Stay two metres away
from others when visiting parks and trails
With the Victoria Day
long weekend underway, the City of Vaughan is urging everyone to follow
physical distancing protocols to help stop the spread of COVID-19 – especially
when visiting parks and trails.
All
park amenities – including playgrounds, sports fields, tennis and basketball
courts, dog parks and benches – remain closed until further notice. Those
walking through parks and open trails must stay at least two metres
(approximately six feet) away from others. Congregating in parks and other
public spaces while physical distancing measures are in effect is not
permitted.
The
City also urges residents to avoid visiting parks outside of their
neighbourhood or community, and to wash hands thoroughly and often. Park
facilities are not sanitized and high-touch surfaces – such as playgrounds,
benches and outdoor fitness equipment – must continue to be avoided.
The City’s Emergency Measures
By-law
provides authority, subject to the Municipal Act, to Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
and City staff to further enforce physical distancing measures, in addition to
other orders during this state of emergency such as limiting access to public
property. Failure to comply with this by-law is an offence and subject to
fines ranging from $500 to $100,000.
Physical
distancing is important for pets, too.
Vaughan
Animal Services urges owners to keep their dogs and cats away from other people
and their pets. Cats should be kept indoors or in a secure outdoor enclosure
and dogs should be kept on a leash, with their collar and ID tag on at all
times, when out for a walk or in a park.
Free-roaming
pets are vulnerable to a multitude of dangers. Almost all conflicts between
wildlife and domestic dogs occur when dogs are off-leash. Off-leash dog owners
will be subject to a fine between $105 to $400 under the City’s Park’s and
Animal Control By-laws.
The
City is offering many online resources, programs and activities for people to
enjoy from the comfort – and safety – of home this holiday weekend:
- Virtual story time, bilingual reading materials, streaming services and more from Vaughan Public Libraries
- Virtual fitness classes and online Vaughan Playschool activities through Recreation Services
- Virtual tours of the City’s corporate art collection on Flickr
For questions, contact
Access Vaughan at 905-832-2281 or visit vaughan.ca/COVID19. To receive the latest updates as they
happen, residents are encouraged to sign up for City Update eNewsletter at vaughan.ca/CityUpdate and follow the City’s Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels.
Those who feel unwell
and believe they have symptoms related to COVID-19 should contact York Region
Public Health or Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. For additional
information and resources on COVID-19, visit York Region's website at york.ca/COVID19.
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