Cheshire parks remain open; coronavirus impacts Parks and Rec events, Community Pool, youth sports

Cheshire Parks and Rec Director John Gawlak

Dan Nowak

CHESHIRE--As a Cheshire Parks and Recreation commissioner, I have been approached by several people the past 10 days when it comes to access to the town's parks and the status of upcoming recreational events and programs when it comes to the coronavirus pandemic.

Cheshire Parks and Recreation director John Gawlak, a proactive director, wasted no time putting together a response to address parks and recreation issues last week and you can see that point-by-point response below.

On Tuesday (March 17), Gawlak talked to Town Manager Sean Kimball for an update on the impact of the coronavirus moving forward.

"I had a discussion with Sean Kimball regarding parks and they will remain open at this time," Gawlak said. "Many other towns are shutting them down and others are keeping them open. I believe until there is some Federal or State ruling, they should remain open for people to use with the added cautions."

While parks in Cheshire remain open, the Cheshire Community Pool will be closed through March 30. Some of the events in town that have been canceled include the Easter Egg Hunt at the Cheshire Community Pool on April 4 and the annual Fishing Derby at Mixville Park on April 4.

Below is the official message from the Cheshire Parks and Recreation Department to Cheshire residents.
 
The Cheshire Recreation Department will be closed to the general public through March 30, 2020. (however, staff will be present and working) We urge you to utilize online services for program registration and pavilion rentals. Please email/phone in your questions or concerns.
The Cheshire Community Pool will be closed to the general public through March 30, 2020.
 
PLEASE NOTE:  As the COVID-19 situation evolves there may be the need to cancel/postpone further.

• All Recreation Department programs and rentals have been cancelled/postponed through March 30, 2020.
• The Cheshire Recreation Department will not be accepting Youth Center rentals as well as pavilion rentals  for events planned/scheduled through April 30, 2020.
• All parks will remain open at this time.
• All school buildings and facilities are closed through March 30, 2020.  High School Athletic Directors will be meeting Wednesday March 18 to evaluate and discuss the High School Spring Sports Season.
• All organized practices and games for  Cheshire Adult and Youth League as well as commercial/ travel/ non-resident organizations held on Board of Ed Property as well as Town of Cheshire Parks will be suspended through March 30, 2020 .  CJSA Soccer has suspended all youth activities (games , practices, clinics, trainings, meetings, coaches education courses) statewide through April 15, 2020.  CYB-CYS Baseball softball including Flames and Reds have suspended activities through April 6, 2020.
• The following special events have been cancelled:

April 4 Easter Egg Hunt at the Cheshire Community Pool
April 4 Fishing Derby at Mixville Park
April 15 Mixville Muck Run at Mixville Park
April 16 Touch a Truck at Bartlem Park

I appreciate your patience and cooperation during a difficult unprecedented period for all. Please be safe and hopefully we all can get back to some regularity and enjoy our activities.

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