Ashwaubenon parks stay open, but with restrictions

By Kevin Boneske

Staff Writer

ASHWAUBENON – The village’s parks remain open amid the Safer at Home order in effect through Memorial Day weekend, but Parks, Recreation and Forestry Director Rex Mehlberg said restrictions are in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“With COVID-19, staff continue to evaluate what should be open and what is shut in our park system,” he said.

When restrictions with social distancing began in March, Mehlberg said the village received calls from residents about large groups of young adults meeting up at Smith and Pioneer parks for pick-up basketball games, etc.

As a result of people not in the same household getting together, Mehlberg said full-court basketball rims have been removed, as well as pickleball and tennis nets.

“We will probably keep them down until we feel comfortable putting them back up,” he said.

Mehlberg said the governor’s order directs the closure of playgrounds, where there is concern about children possibly coming in contact with the virus while using the equipment, and bathrooms in the parks remain closed.

He said ball diamonds remain open for family usage, such as with a parent pitching or throwing to a child, but practices and games with groups not in the same family are not being permitted with the possible spread of COVID-19 being an issue in those circumstances.

Mehlberg said the parks are getting plenty of use during the pandemic with people walking outside, which is permitted under the Safer at Home order.

Postponements, cancellations

In addition to the department’s indoor facilities now closed to the public, Mehlberg said events planned over the next few weeks have been affected by the pandemic.

He said the first food truck rally that was planned for May 14 is postponed until August with all May programming being on hold.

Because the Safer at Home order keeps schools closed through the rest of the academic year, Mehlberg said the indoor pool facility on school property wouldn’t be available for use until at least July 1.

Mehlberg said at this point it’s not known whether Ashwaubomay Lake, which isn’t scheduled to open until June, will be able to operate this summer, and if so, when.

“Right now, we're going back and forth, trying to figure some of that stuff out,” he said.

Mehlberg said a summer program planned from June to August at Parkview for children with special needs has been called off.