SUMMARY:
This item is associated with the closure of Brentwood Park due to the coronavirus pandemic. During the time that a stay-at-home order was in effect, nearly all communities decided to close their municipal parks as, under state guidelines essentially all activities except for walking/jogging were banned. As Southwestern PA has moved to the Yellow Phase of the Governor's plan for reopening businesses, there has been significant uncertainty as to how this move impacts public parks. Some municipalities have chosen to keep their facilities shuttered, while others quickly moved to open all facilities with restrictions regarding the sizes of groups.
Under Resolution No. 2020-30, which declared a local state of emergency due to the pandemic, the Borough closed its parks indefinitely, and only a subsequent act of Council could reverse this order. As the Governor's Office continues to define the scope of its order and to make changes with little advance notice, there is a risk that, if this clause of the resolution remains valid, the park could remain closed until a subsequent Council meeting even if the state definitively declares certain recreational activities permitted.
This motion would allow the Borough Manager and Rec Director to develop a reopening plan that can be implemented rapidly based upon changes in state directives. Note that it would not lead to the immediate reopening of the park. Instead, it would allow staff to begin implementing protocols and obtaining necessary supplies for an opening that is anticipated to occur in the near future. At this time, the Borough remains prohibited from sponsoring or permitting most types of group activities or from allowing indoor recreation. Additionally, in accordance with recommendations from parks & rec professional groups, the playground will also remain closed during the early phases of the staggered reopening. However, should these activities be permitted during a future shift to the Green Phase, there will be no need for Council to take further action to permit them.