California Allows Playgrounds to Reopen, Pasadena Assessing Implementation of State’s Guidelines

The California Department of Public Health announced Tuesday that public outdoor playgrounds can open throughout the state.

In Los Angeles County, the Public Health Department and Board of Supervisors are discussing but have not yet announced when playgrounds will reopen.

Pasadena officials said Tuesday afternoon that the City’s Public Health Officer will be carefully monitoring and assessing what is being presented at the state level to determine how guidelines and protocol will be implemented at a local level in collaboration with other city and county health officials.

“We understand the need for kids to get out and play and the physical and mental aspects of being outdoors and releasing energy, although we want it done in a safe and managed way,” said Pasadena spokesperson Lisa Derderian.

Derderian said every City playground has suffered damage during the pandemic, and that could present hurdles for immediate reopenings.

“Unfortunately, all of our playgrounds have experienced tampering over and over again with barricades and barriers cordoning off playground equipment being torn down and broken,” she said.

The new state guidelines apply to any public playground that is fully outdoors. Everyone 2 years of age or older must wear a face mask, and those from different households must maintain social distancing.

Eating and drinking at the playgrounds are forbidden to ensure everyone is wearing a mask at all times. 

Visitors should limit their stay to 30 minutes when other people are present, the state’s guidelines suggest.