Above / The natural wonders in local neighborhood parks always are open for enjoyment. (PN Photo / Cormorant in May Watts Park) An overview of Naperville Park District facilities and programs in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan is featured in the following story.
As the community enters Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan, Naperville Park District reopened Fort Hill Activity Center and outdoor playgrounds and resumed more programs on June 26.
“The Naperville Park District staff and board are incredibly pleased to open Fort Hill Activity Center and make additional programs available to our community while we continue to follow the parameters of the Restore Illinois Plan,” said Ray McGury, executive director of the Naperville Park District. “We know many of our residents are anxious to get out and enjoy sports and favorite summer activities. We are happy to bring back more opportunities to promote healthy lives, healthy minds and a healthy community.”
Fort Hill Activity Center will open in phases, following participation guidelines based on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Phase 4 Health and Fitness Business Guidelines, in addition to information from public health organizations. These guidelines were reviewed by the Edward Hospital and Health Services Infection Control Manager and include instructions on face coverings, cleaning equipment, maintaining a 6 foot distance from others, and other safety measures for fitness members.
Fort Hill Fitness Center and the indoor track was the first to open on June 26 for members only with no more than 50% occupancy at any given time. In-person group exercise classes at Fort Hill will be reintroduced starting the week of July 6.
Hours of operation for Fort Hill Activity Center will be 5AM to 8PM Monday through Friday, 6AM to -3PM Saturday, and 7AM to 3PM Sunday. The fitness center will close from 2 to 2:30PM Monday through Friday to allow time for staff to complete additional disinfecting of the area surfaces and equipment.
Outdoor playgrounds are now able to open, per guidance from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Please note that playground use should be limited to no more than 50 persons at one time.
Concerts in Your Park and other popular events will return
With state guidelines now permitting groups of up to 50 people to gather, the Park District is planning to host Concerts in Your Park, Children’s Lunch Hour and A Night at the Movies beginning in July. Dates are being confirmed and will be posted at www.napervilleparks.org under the Events tab as soon as details are known. Residents will be able to enjoy several popular free Park District summer events, while practicing social distancing.
Additionally, youth athletic leagues, including Park District baseball and softball programs, will be able to begin playing games and hosting competitions. Participation guidelines have been established for those Park District programs and facilities that are now operating.
Centennial Beach is closed all summer
As stated in a June 9 press release, Centennial Beach is not able to open this summer. The DuPage County Health Department denied the Park District’s request for a permit earlier this month, citing the Beach’s classification as a bathing beach, which excluded it from the Governor’s order that allowed pools to open for limited programming in Phase 3. Unfortunately, waiting until Phase 4 has left too little time to prepare the Beach for the swim season. However, Park District fitness classes will be able to enjoy meeting at the Beach, and the water will be allowed to fill naturally.
The Administration Building at 320 W. Jackson Ave. will continue to be closed to the public, except by appointment, until September 8, 2020.
