Hanover Relaxes More Rules With Public Washrooms, Pavilions, Soccer Fields and Ball Diamonds

MEDIA RELEASE                                                                     

June 29, 2020

(Hanover, ON) – The Province has announced that some regions of Ontario can now proceed to Stage 2 of Phase 2 of its Framework for Reopening the Province. In consideration of this, the Town of Hanover is further relaxing some restrictions on municipal washrooms, pavilions, soccer fields and ball diamonds as part of a careful and cautious approach to expanding access to municipal facilities amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The following activities are now permitted in the Town of Hanover:

• Public washrooms at Hanover Park and the Rail Lands (soccer fields) are now open and will be cleaned twice daily.
• Pavilions at Hanover Park and Binkley/Paterson (Kinsmen Ball Park) are now open. Kitchen facilities remain closed.
• Soccer fields may now be used provided provincial rules and governing sport association directives are followed for individual or small group use of up to 10 people. The Town will also have to approve an organization’s ‘Return to Play/Operation’ plan.
• Ball diamonds may now be used provided provincial rulesand governing sport association directives are followed for individual or small group use of up to 10 people. The Town will also have to approve an organization’s ‘Return to Play/Operation’ plan.
• The Rotary Dog Park is now open. Please follow safety precautions posted on the gate to the park.
• Benches in parks, open spaces and the trails are permitted to be used. Please follow precaution signage.
• Playing catch, throwing a frisbee, kicking a ball, flying a kite with members of your household in parks and open spaces.
• Activities such as fitness exercises of up to 10 persons in parks and open spaces.
• Trails are open. Please follow safety precautions posted along the trail.
• Park visitors are encouraged to bring their own chair or blankets for sitting in parks and open spaces.

The Town is continuing to work on putting in place appropriate procedures to ensure the safety of our residents and the staff that maintain these facilities. Until further announcements are made, the following remain closed to the public:

• Outdoor playgrounds, play structures and equipment.
• Skateboard Park.
• Aquatic Centre.
• Civic Centre.

Hanover Public Library is now providing curb side pickup, with new member registration and membership renewals.  While the library remains closed, summer programming for children is going online, starting Monday, June 29, 2020.  Please contact the library or watch library social media, website and email for details.

The Town of Hanover would like to remind residents of the potential for the circulation of COVID-19 in our community. Residents are still required to practice 2m physical distancing, limit public gatherings to groups of 10 or less people not part of the same household, wash or use hand sanitizer before eating or drinking, wash hands immediately upon returning home, avoid crowds at parks, trails and open spaces, and leash dogs at all times. The Town would also like to remind users of Hanover’s public facilities that these areas are available for use at your own risk and are not regularly sanitized. An inherent risk of exposure to communicable diseases including COVID-19 exists in any public space where people are present. By visiting any parks and publicly accessible spaces you are voluntarily assuming all risks including any risk of injury, loss, damage and possible exposure to a communicable disease, including COVID-19.

Municipal by-law enforcement will continue to enforce gatherings larger than 10 people, dogs off-leash, and anyone using closed park amenities.

More information can be found at ontario.ca/coronavirus or publichealthgreybruce.on.ca for information from the Grey Bruce Health Unit.

Updates on Town of Hanover operations can be found at hanover.ca or by following #InThisTogetherHanover

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Media Contact

Brian Tocheri, CAO/Clerk                              

Town of Hanover                                                                   

519.364.2780 x1228                                                  

btocheri@hanover.ca