AN UPDATE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Governor Pritzker has extended the Stay at Home Order through May 30. We are required to continue to maximize the physical distance between ourselves and others in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus. Please read the following update concerning Wheaton Park District programs, events, and facilities.
SUMMER CAMPS & POOLS
We understand that many residents are interested in whether or not we will open the pools and operate our summer day camps. We do not yet have clear direction or guidelines from the Illinois Department of Public Health concerning the operation of pools and day camps. The health, safety, operational, and financial challenges related to operating pools and day camps under social distancing protocols for what may be an abbreviated season, are being reviewed and evaluated by the park district. Once IDPH provides direction, we will communicate further.
SPECIAL EVENTS
On April 7, 2020, Governor Pritzker strongly advised event organizers in the state of Illinois to cancel large summer events amid the COVID-19 crisis. Following CDC guidelines for large gatherings and the guidance of the Governor, the Wheaton Park District, along with event partners, have canceled all special events and concerts scheduled for May, June, and July. This includes: Go Fly A Kite (May 2), Native Plant Sale (May 30), Taste of Wheaton (June 4-7), Municipal Band Concerts (June 18, 25, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30), Fish-O-Rama (June 20), Independence Day Fireworks and Parade (July 3-4), as well as other special events regularly scheduled in these months. For now, the district has canceled all events and concerts through the end of July including the opening of the new Bandshell at Memorial Park, which was set to host a new
summer concert series lineup beginning in June. The start of the concert series has been delayed to August pending further direction from the State of Illinois. The 39th Annual Cosley Zoo Run for the Animals, set to take place on June 6, will move to a virtual format. Registration is available online at cosleyzoo.org. Additionally, the district’s staff is reviewing the feasibility of moving July 3 and 4 festivities to Labor Day weekend. We are all looking forward to the day when we are once again able to safely come together in the parks to enjoy community celebrations and concerts. We are committed to resuming programs and events as
soon as possible, but only once it is safe to do so.
SPRING ATHLETIC LEAGUES
All Wheaton Park District affiliated spring athletic leagues and travel sports programs are canceled. We will begin processing refunds immediately. We ask for your patience as it will take some time to work through this very high volume of transactions. Rest assured, we will get to all of them. If before the end of the summer, it comes to pass that we are once again able to safely gather in numbers that will allow us to conduct sports activities that include games, practices, and spectators, we may consider offering renewed opportunities for in-house league sports and travel team play. We understand and share the sadness and disappointment that this announcement creates. We did
not come to this decision easily and had hoped for an earlier return to normalcy.
RE-OPENING WHEATON PARK DISTRICT FACILITIES
Decisions regarding the re-opening of park district facilities will be reviewed and determined in accordance with future announcements by the Governor and direction from the IDPH and CDC. Parks Plus Fitness Center, Cosley Zoo, and DuPage County Historical Museum memberships remain on hold.
PARK USE REMINDER
We understand the weather is improving and that people must maintain physical and mental well-being. We all want and need to enjoy the outdoors, but we would like to reiterate the importance of keeping your park visits simple, safe, and distanced from others. Take walks or jog only with members of your family that you live with. DO NOT walk in close groups with your friends that you do not live with. Outdoor exercise equipment and playgrounds remain OFF LIMITS in the parks and schoolyards. Absolutely no team sports should be played in the parks or schoolyards. This includes group practice. Fishing is allowed in the parks as long as you maintain safe social distance while doing so. Tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts remain open, but we stress caution and care in their use. The Wheaton Police will disperse crowds of
people behaving in an unsafe manner as they deem appropriate.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this challenging time together. My contact information is below. Be safe. Be well. Michael Benard
Executive Director
mbenard@wheatonparks.org
630-945-7726
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