In the next stage of its phased approach to reopening county facilities, on Monday, June 15, the Henry County Parks and Recreation Department reopened its recreation centers to the community. 

  The reopened recreation centers include the Locust Grove, Fairview, Bear Creek, and J.P. Moseley locations. 

  This comes after the Henry County parks were reopened to the public on Monday, June 8.

  “Safety is our number one priority and that’s why we have diligently looked at different ways that we can reopen and decided on this phased approach,” said Jonathon Penn, the Cluster Leader for Leisure Services in Henry County.

  Having been closed for several months due to COVID-19, Henry County  Parks and Recreation is eager to get back up and running for the visitors that utilize the facilities during the summer. 

  Penn states that “recreation is an outlet” and is what is needed during these times. 

   “You get very stressed and you relieve all that stress coming to the recreation facility,” said Penn. “This is really big for the community in allowing people to relieve some of that stress and just to get away from a lot of the things we have going on as it relates to COVID-19.” 

  In regard to their decision to  reopen the county’s recreation centers, Penn told the Times that they are “eager” but remain “cautious.”

  However, they are committed to implementing various safety measures, in accordance with state and local guidelines, for the well-being of recreation center staff and visitors. 

  The guidelines for reopening the Henry County Recreation Centers are as follows: 

•   All visitors entering recreation centers must wear a mask in the lobby area
•   All visitors entering recreation centers will have their temperature taken and will be screened through a series of questions
•   Recreation centers will be open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 to 7 p.m. Centers will be closed from 1 to 2 p.m. for cleaning. Recreation centers will be open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
•   HCPRD classes and facility rentals may exceed the 7 p.m. closing time
•   Signs and posters will be posted throughout the recreation centers to frequently remind visitors/members to take steps to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus
•   Gym and classroom spaces are scheduled by HCPRD
•   No basketball games are allowed. Keeping physical distance is difficult with players in competition or group practice, therefore only individual skill work and drills are allowed
•   Social distancing must be adhered to at all times
•   Identified staff will help to maintain social distancing among all visitors and members of the recreation center
•   Players/members will be spaced at least 6 feet apart in the gym while participating in a sport or exercise (e.g., during warmup, walking, cardio training, weight training and specific sports activities)
•   Unnecessary physical contact will be discouraged, such as high fives, handshakes, fist bumps or hugs
•   There will be a limit to the number of players allowed on the playing area during sport-related activities to maintain social distancing. Non-players waiting to participate in the sport’s activity should have a designated waiting area with adequate space for social distancing
•   Limit the use of shared equipment
•   No water fountains or shared coolers are allowed
•   Restrooms will be open with enhanced cleaning and sanitation according to CDC guidelines
•   Classrooms will be available for scheduled classes and rentals following regulations approved in the CDC guidelines

  According to the Henry County Parks and Recreation website, as of Monday, June 15, park pavilions have also reopened and park rentals are available, however visitors must maintain their social distancing and follow the respective guidelines.

  Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) will  be able to resume their regular services to seniors.

  Penn emphasized that, although Henry County is beginning to reopen various facilities, the projected dates for reopening Senior Centers and playgrounds, set for July 6 and 13 respectively, could be pushed back. 

  “We are monitoring the situation. All of our local, state and federal guidelines, we are looking at them constantly and we are deciding on how we move forward,” said Penn. “Things could change drastically in a month. We don’t know. It’s a fluid situation and we are looking at that and we are going to make the best decision based off of the information that we have.”

For more information or for projected opening dates, call Henry County Parks and Recreation at 770-288-7300 or visit their website at hcprd.org.