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Bellingham will allow these child-care activities and programs in parks this summer

Bellingham Herald - 7/16/2020

Jul. 16--Bellingham will allow limited use of its parks and sports facilities for child-oriented programs, under an executive order from Mayor Seth Fleetwood.

"This is one of several ways we are helping community members get back to work," Fleetwood said in a statement at the city's website posted Thursday, July 16.

"Allowing limited outdoor activities in parks this summer will provide much-needed child-care options and help fulfill outdoor recreation goals as well," Fleetwood said.

Playground equipment and spray parks remain closed, Parks and Recreation Department Director Nicole Oliver said in an email.

Fleetwood's order affects permit applications and facility reservations for child-care programs, day camps, youth-development programs, expanded-learning programs for students in kindergarten through high school, and other similar child-oriented outside activities in parks, open spaces, trails and picnic shelters managed by the Parks and Recreation Department the statement said.

Most such programs and use of park facilities were canceled April 24 as part of social-distancing efforts to fight the new coronavirus pandemic.

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Applications and requests are subject to city review, and must follow public health orders, regulations, and guidance for day-care and day-camp programs and sports teams issued by the state of Washington and/or the Whatcom County Health Department to limit COVID-19 spread, the statement said.

Limits will include adult-to-child ratios, maximum gathering size, maintenance of physical separation, screening of participants, cleaning and disinfecting procedures, food-handling protocols and face coverings.

All applications and requests must have a detailed plan to comply with those regulations.

Whatcom County remains in Phase 2 of the state's Safe Start program for reopening businesses, public buildings and resumption of group events.

Fleetwood said that after Whatcom County is allowed to enter Phase 3, the city will accept applications and facility reservation requests for activities for Civic Stadium, Joe Martin Field, Geri Softball Fields, Downer Ball Fields and Squalicum Creek ball fields.

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