Portagers will soon be able to return to city playgrounds.

The City of Portage la Prairie will be reopening its facilities to the public Friday as provincial regulations surrounding COVID-19 loosen. However, the School Division’s playground facilities will remain closed for the time being.

“What that means for us is that playgrounds will now be accessible to citizens however we do still encourage all citizens and their children to maintain some of the health orders that have been put in place already,” says Portage city councillor, Melissa Draycott. “That would mean maintaining a distance of six feet between yourself and other people as well as limiting gatherings to no more than 10 people in any indoor or outdoor premises.”

Included in the City’s reopening plan is the outdoor exercise equipment along the Crescent Lake walking path, as well as the Island Park bandstand and picnic shelters. However, the City will not be taking bookings for these facilities until further notice. Additionally, the Island Park washroom facilities will remain closed at this time.

Draycott is strongly recommending to people that use the facilities to continue with proper handwashing and sanitizing practices.

“City crews are not attending playgrounds to sanitize and disinfect the equipment,” she adds. “So it is always recommended that anybody using the equipment is still practicing regular hand washing or even sanitize your hands as soon as you go on and off the equipment to ensure safety.”

The following locations are city-maintained playgrounds that will be reopening to the public on May 8.

1. McKay Playground
2. 9th St Playground
3. Prosvita Park
4. Central Park
5. Dalzel (7-11) Park
6. Koko Platz Playground
7. Bjorn Park (Koko Platz Community Club)
8. Caithness Street Playground
9. Island Park Playground
10. Crescent Lake Path Exercise Equipment

Closed signs at each of these locations will be removed over the next week and new signs will be installed, reminding users that current public health orders must be adhered to while accessing the equipment