City government announces multi-phased reopening approach

Published 3:34 pm Friday, May 29, 2020

The City of Johnson City will begin a multi-phased approach to reopening City facilities starting Monday, June 1. The goal of the phased reopening, based on public health guidance, is to safely allow activities to resume while mitigating the risk of new COVID-19 cases.

The City will continue to follow guidelines and recommendations provided by Gov. Bill Lee and his economic recovery group as well as the CDC and public health officials. Certain services and activities with a lower risk of COVID-19 transmission will open in earlier phases. Decisions and timing of openings will be influenced by public health metrics.

“Our residents and business owners have made a tremendous sacrifice during this extremely challenging time, and those efforts have not gone unnoticed,” said City Manager Pete Peterson. “It’s clear that our citizens’ commitment to complying with Safer at Home Orders, social distancing, practicing good hygiene, and wearing masks has put us in a much safer position than we were in several months ago. We have undoubtedly slowed the spread of COVID-19 in our community and saved many lives. Continuing these precautions as we reopen is imperative to keeping transmission rates low.”

As of June 1, the following Parks and Recreation activities will resume:

· Pavilion reservations for groups of 50 or less. Social distancing guidelines must be followed.

· Park restrooms will reopen. Restrooms will be disinfected once daily.

· Freedom Hall Pool will be open by reservation only for lap swimming and team practice. Lap swim is limited to one person per lane with swimmers able to reserve a maximum of three sessions per week, each for 45 minutes. Lane entry/exit will be staggered. Restroom access will be limited to one person at a time and no locker room access will be available. Swimmers should come in their bathing suit ready to swim and be prepared to dry off and leave the facility immediately following their scheduled swim session. Screening measures, including temperature checks, will be in place. For more information or to reserve a swim session, please call 423-461-4872.

· Little League and Babe Ruth baseball will resume for participants within the Tri-Cities area for league play only. Guidelines set forth by those organizations must be adhered to.

· Batting cages at Winged Deer Park will reopen.

Beginning June 8:

· The Administrative and Athletic offices at Winged Deer Park will reopen.

· Carver Recreation Center will reopen. Basketball games will not be permitted.

· Langston Centre will reopen.

· Screening measures, including temperature checks, will be in place at these facilities and masks will be required.

The following will remain closed or suspended until further notice, per state/CDC guidelines:

· Memorial Park Community Center

· Contact sports as defined by the state

· Playgrounds

· Athletic tournaments

· Outdoor basketball courts

· Drinking fountains

The following are closed/canceled for the season:

· Legion Street Pool

· Rotary Park Splash Pad

· Concert series

As a reminder, all parks as well as tennis, pickleball and volleyball courts are open, as is Pine Oaks Golf Course. While contact sports are prohibited, training and other activities that do not involve close contact with others are permitted. Guidelines for all facilities will be posted, and adherence is mandatory.

For questions about Parks and Recreation facilities, grounds and programming please call 423-283-5815.

City Hall (including Police Records) will reopen June 8, with the exception of the Finance lobby, which is under construction. Screening measures, including temperature checks, will be in place at these facilities and masks will be required.

The Transit lobby will remain closed through June. Transit continues to offer free rides to patrons wearing masks.

For questions regarding the reopening process, please call 423-434-6021.