Chesterfield prioritizes the health and well-being of citizens, guests and county employees. Considering the growing concerns surrounding the potential spread of the coronavirus known as COVID-19, Chesterfield County is taking appropriate actions in alignment with guidance and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to practice social distancing as related to a community mitigation strategy.
In order to limit the spread of COVID-19, the county will be limiting public gatherings, consistent with directives from CDC and VDH, until further notice.
The Department of Parks and Recreation has instituted the following measures until further notice:
- All Parks and Recreation special events, programs and facility rentals (including picnic shelters) are cancelled. This includes department-sponsored and co-sponsored activities.
- Registrations will not be taken for programs and activities until further notice.
- No facility rentals will be scheduled until further notice.
- All County recreation centers, senior centers, historic sites and the Nature Center are closed until further notice.
- Effective, Tuesday, April 7, all public restrooms in parks will be closed. This includes permanent restrooms as well as portable toilets.
Chesterfield County parks will remain open. However, playgrounds, picnic shelters, basketball courts, tennis and pickleball courts are closed. Signs (like the one shown) are placed on affected amenities. All patrons are recommended to take preventative action when visiting the park system including self-monitoring and practicing social distancing.
Although we have already implemented measures in our parks, social gatherings on playgrounds, basketball courts, tennis courts, pickleball courts, picnic shelters and athletic fields continue to be a threat to the health and well-being of all citizens due to the national spread of COVID-19. The following actions were implemented on Friday, March 27:
- Removal of rims from basketball goals and nets from tennis, pickleball, and volleyball courts throughout the park system to prevent organized play where the courts cannot be secured by gate and lock
- Removal of soccer and lacrosse goals from athletic fields to prevent organized play
- In addition to signage, placement of caution tape at playgrounds and shelters to prevent social gatherings
Athletic fields, rectangular and diamond, remain open for unorganized recreational use by individuals or families of less than 10 that are maintaining recommended social distancing. All goals, bases, and other equipment are being removed from the fields. No practices, training, team workouts, or other organized activities are permitted.