Providence parks, golf courses closed until at least May
PROVIDENCE, R.I (WLNE) – All parks and recreational areas in the city of Providence will be shut down Tuesday and will remain closed until May, to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
Mayor Jorge Elorza announced the restrictions Tuesday, saying the nice weather over the weekend caused a lot of people to go outside and gather in groups.
The closures will affect all parks, sporting fields, basketball courts, off-road trails, and green spaces, including popular walking areas at Roger Williams Park, North Burial Ground, Blackstone Boulevard and Pleasant Valley Parkway.
The closures went into effect at noon, and the public spaces will remain closed until at least May 1.
“I’ve become very very concerned, and in fact very very upset at the pictures I’ve seen on social media and the calls that we have received about people who are indeed gathering at our parks,” Mayor Elorza said.
Public Safety Commissioner Steven Pare said the Providence Police Department received 12 calls in just 24 hours to disperse large group gatherings at Roger Williams Park, India Point Park, and city basketball courts.
“I know this is difficult for our city. We don’t have sprawling backyards at most of our triple-deckers throughout the city, and our public parks are our family’s backyards,” added Mayor Elorza.
In addition to recreation spots, Mayor Elorza also ordered the closure of Trigg’s Memorial Golf Course on Chalkstone Avenue.
He said he saw photos of Massachusetts license plates in the parking lot, calling it unacceptable. The mayor said he also received alls that people have been congregating in the parking lot.
“We’re kinda disappointed right now. I mean, we’ve been operating with a lot, a lot of controls, trying to operate as safely as we possibly can,” said Karl Augenstein, general manager of the golf course.
Augenstein said he was expecting this to happen and will have to lay off some employees as a result.
He said they’ve taken safety measures, like not allowing groups on the green with more than five people, sanitizing golf carts and gear, and closing the indoor check-in area. They’re even checking ID’s at the door to make sure every golfer is a Rhode Islander.
“We’ve been very very strict with them. We’ve turned a lot of Mass players around who’ve been trying to sneak in here.”
The golf course will close end of day Tuesday. Augenstein said, while he’s disappointed, he understands why Mayor Elorza made the decision.
“We do not want to be contributing to the spread of COVID-19. If he thinks that’s the best thing to do, then we’re gonna comply and we’re gonna move forward with him and try to do the absolute best we can.”
Providence Police will be enforcing the restrictions.
©WLNE-TV/ABC6 2020
