Austin playgrounds to open, with caution

City playgrounds, skate parks and pavilions are set to officially reopen, though city officials will continue to urge caution in using the facilities. While the parks department has found that these outdoor recreation areas do pose some risk, the lack of direct correlation between usage and virus spread (and the fact that people were using them anyway) has caused the city to change its strategy. A Nov. 4 memo from PARD Director Kimberly McNeeley explains, “Beginning immediately, PARD will replace closure signage with caution signage to inform users of risks and suggest usage parameters should an individual elect to engage with the amenity.” The memo goes on to say that city sports programming will remain on hold. Parks system closures and regulations, which remain dependent on current Covid-19 conditions, can be found at austintexas.gov/parkclosures.