Summer ambassadors shared their excitement of parks and playgrounds re-opening with chalk art on city sidewalks. (Facebook/City of Melfort)

By Angie Rolheiser

Playgrounds and Recreation

Playgrounds open in Melfort, summer ambassador program in the works

Jun 12, 2020 | 12:03 PM

After nearly three months of being bound to homes and yards across Saskatchewan during the COVID-19 pandemic, children will once again be able to utilize playgrounds around Melfort.

Recreation Programmer with the city of Melfort, Shannon Marshall said this has been a very trying time but the big goal for herself and staff is to keep everyone busy this summer while remaining safe.

“We know how important mental and physical well-being is and recreation plays a key factor in that,” Marshall said. “We have done our best to come up with different things that the community can participate in while adhering to the restrictions that are currently in place.”

This summer, there will be eight weeks of themed activities for ages 5-12. Details on the activities and when and how to register for them will be released at a later date.

“Be on the lookout for our community ambassadors and as time progresses, they will begin those activities for children, so there will still be lots of fun to be had,” Marshall said. “With people not travelling much right now we also want people to explore what is available right here in their own backyard.”

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All playgrounds around the city are now open to the public but Saskatchewan public health guidelines when it comes to social distancing will still be important. Furthermore, it is recommended that commonly touched surfaces be avoided, wash hands and sanitize frequently, and stay at home if you’re feeling sick. Outdoor gatherings are limited to 30 people.

Even though the summer ambassador program is in the planning stages, a few ambassadors are already on the job. They are being kept busy with patrolling the spaces and playgrounds that are open to the public.

“They are there to educate the public about physical distancing and health guidelines but also to interact positively with the community and let them know how great it is to see these spaces being used but to do it in a healthy, safe way,” Marshall said.

Marshall said the city’s skatepark at Spruce Haven Recreation Area has been open for a week now and for the most part, people seem to be following the posted rules.

The Melfort skate park opened to the public on June 5. (Facebook/City of Melfort)

“The community has banded together and they are doing an awesome job of self-monitoring,” Marshall said. “It really was so great to see people out enjoying that space, we know that it is valued in our community and we appreciate that people use it well.”

Tennis and pickleball courts opened last Friday as well. Opening at a later date which is yet to be determined are splash and spray parks, basketball courts, baseball diamonds, and indoor recreation facilities.

The public is being advised that any spaces that are not being supervised are used at one’s own risk.

The city hosted yoga in the park on Thursday with two local yoga instructors each providing a session for up to 15 people.

Yoga at Rotary Park on Thursday. (Facebook/City of Melfort)

The Melfort Play Kits will continue over the coming weeks as well where families can ‘rent’ a kit free of charge that contains a number of outdoor activity equipment.

Any further information on any of these initiatives can be obtained by calling the Northern Lights Palace Pool or the Kerry Vickar Centre.

“We also really want to thank everyone in advance for following physical distancing and health guidelines and doing their part to flatten the curve in our community,” she said.

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angie.rolheiser@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser