Plans to Relax Open Space Rules

May 20, 2020 - MEDIA RELEASE - The Town of Hanover is working on plans to relax rules at parks, open spaces and the library. 

The Province has announced that Ontario is officially entering the first stage of its Framework for Reopening the Province. In consideration of this, the Town of Hanover is working on relaxing some restrictive measures at parks, trails, and open spaces as part of a careful and cautious approach to expanding access to the outdoors amid the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic.

 Effective immediately, the following recreational purposes are permitted in municipal parks and open spaces:

• Playing catch, throwing a frisbee, kicking a ball, flying a kite with members of your household
• Park visitors can bring their own chair or blankets for sitting
• Individual activity such as personal fitness exercises (not a group class)

 As part of this initial stage, the Province is also permitting the reopening of some outdoor recreational amenities. The Town is working 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 sports facilities and multi-use fields
• off-leash dog park
• outdoor picnic sites, benches and shelters in parks and recreational areas

The Province has also confirmed that outdoor playgrounds, play structures and equipment, fitness equipment, public swimming pools will remain closed until later stages of the province's reopening plan. 

Hanover Public Library is also working on procedures and safety measures for accepting return of library materials through the drop box only, and preparing to provide curb side pickup and delivery.  Please contact the library or watch library social media, website and email for an announcement when those services will begin.

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 5 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.

Municipal by-law enforcement will continue to enforce gatherings larger than five 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

 - 30 -

 Media Contact

 Brian Tocheri, CAO/Clerk
 Town of Hanover
 519.364.2780 x1228                                                                           
btocheri@hanover.ca