Providence City Council asks Mayor Elorza to allow park access for residents

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE)- Members of the Providence City Council called on Mayor Jorge Elorza to allow residents to have access to the city’s parks, trails, and green spaces.

In a statement issued Thursday evening, council members asked the mayor to adjust his executive order to  reflect that of Governor Gina Raimondo.

Raimondo has closed parking lots at the state’s beaches and parks, while still allowing residents within walking distance to take advantage of them for leisure and exercise.

“We are asking residents of Providence to stay in their homes as much as possible, which is needed to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus and flatten the curve,” Majority Leader Jo-Ann Ryan said in the statement. “Yet, we also have an obligation to balance the need for the public’s physical health with their mental health.”

Ryan said that time spent in nature has been shown to reduce anxiety in depression.

According to the statement, eliminating the option for leisure time in the outdoors “could potentially do more harm than good.”

The councilors said playground equipment should still remain off-limits, but suggested that by closing Roger Williams Park to traffic, residents of all ages could enjoy time in nature while still practicing social distancing.

The differing orders between Elorza and Raimondo had previously lead to confusion over whether residents could use parks or not.

“I hope that for consistency sake, the Mayor will change his order to mirror that of the Governor’s so we can all take it outside and relieve the stress that so many of us are feeling,” Councilman James Taylor said.

©WLNE-TV/ABC 6 2020