Mesa unveils Parks and Recreation phased reopening plan

May 14, 2020 at 6:55 pm

As Arizona begins to reopen, a plan to reopen Mesa Parks and Recreation amenities and facilities in phases was unveiled this morning and given approval by City Council. Many of the closures began March 15 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Many of our residents rely on City of Mesa Parks and Recreation to maintain their health and wellness," Mayor John Giles said. "Their closure has taken a toll on our community and I am encouraged by our plan to gradually reopen while implementing CDC guidelines on social distancing and sanitation to protect our employees and residents."

Phase One of the reopening is scheduled for Monday, June 1 and includes the following:

Parks - pickleball, tennis, volleyball, basketball courts for drop-in use, ramadas (no reservations), playgrounds and splash pads
Turf areas, trails, urban fishing, dog parks, skate parks and disc golf have remained open during the pandemic along with the restrooms at Riverview, Red Mountain, Pioneer and Greenfield

Community Centers - Red Mountain Center with limited hours for the fitness center

Aquatics - Skyline Aquatic Center and Kino Aquatic Center for reservation only lap swim, limited and reduced capacity swim lessons and Mesa Aquatic Coalition Team rentals

Dobson Ranch Golf Course - dining permitted with social distancing and capacity restrictions
The golf course is currently open during regular hours but cart restrictions are in effect

Sports fields and complexes - limited hours for reservation only court rental at Mesa Tennis Center, sports complexes open for reservations only for individual team practices (group size/capacity restrictions and social distancing plans to be submitted by user groups for approval)

Recreation programs - will continue to be suspended

Special events - will continue to be suspended

Phase two of the reopening is scheduled for Monday, June 29 pending the Governor's Orders and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines. It includes the following:

Parks - restrooms previously closed (based on availability of cleaning supplies)

Community Centers - Jefferson, Broadway, Webster and Eagles Community Centers will open to host modified camps. There will be limited specialty programs with a ratio of 9:1 of participants to staff during July and August

Aquatics - Rhodes Aquatic Center and Shepherd Aquatic Center for reservation only lap swim, limited and reduced capacity swim lessons and Mesa Aquatic Coalition Team rentals. There will be limited open swimming at all four open pools and the Flowrider at Rhodes will also be open

Sports fields and complexes - will begin accepting reservations for Fall field usage

Recreation programs - open for limited programming at City Community Centers (camps). Limited special interest programs will be held at a ratio of 9:1

Special events - pending further review and discussion

Future reopening phases will be determined based on the Governor's Orders and CDC guidelines. For more information and details on upcoming registration for programs and facility reservations, visit www.mesaparks.com or call our Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Department at (480) 644-PLAY.

Public Information and Communications
Contact: Kevin Christopher
Tel. 480-644-4699
kevin.christopher@mesaaz.gov