- April 19, 2024
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The Flagler County government on April 16 reopened some of its parks on what county officials are calling a trial basis, but the local cities of Palm Coast, Flagler Beach and Bunnell have decided to keep their parks closed and released a joint press release explaining why.
“If it doesn’t work – if people take advantage of the situation and use it as an opportunity to gather together – we will immediately reclose the parks.”
— JERRY CAMERON, Flagler County administrator
“With the peak number of cases expected to occur in the first week of May, now is not the time to lift restrictions on our parks, trails and facilities,” Palm Coast Mayor Milissa Holland said, according to the cities’ news release. “I understand times are stressful and our residents miss these amenities, but we must continue to stay home and practice social distancing if we are going to effectively flatten the curve. By lifting these restrictions, we would run the risk of a much worse outcome for our city. Please stay strong for your friends, family and neighbors."
The county government decided to try a limited reopening because the county has only seen a handful of new positive cases over the past week, according to a Flagler County government news release.
"The apex date for the state of Florida, per health professionals, has been moved back to early May. In order for us as a city to ensure our community's safety, we won't move to open any parks, beaches, etc. until the same health professionals advise us that it is safe to do so.”
— MATTHEW DOUGHNEY, Flagler Beach police chief
“This was a strategic decision,” County Administrator Jerry Cameron said in the county’s news release. “Easing of restrictions on the parks with trails is provisional, and it is based on appropriate social distancing. If it doesn’t work – if people take advantage of the situation and use it as an opportunity to gather together – we will immediately reclose the parks.”
But Florida Department of Health-Flagler Administrator Bob Snyder said in the cities’ news release that social distancing is responsible for the low number of local infections and deaths.
“Until we hear from our medical director at the Health Department that it is time to begin opening up our public areas, we will stay the course that has been implemented.”
— CATHERINE ROBINSON, mayor, city of Bunnell
"As you know, our numbers for positive cases and deaths are low for a reason, because as a community we have made the right decisions to practice social distancing at an optimal level,” Snyder said. "The Palm Coast community and majority of residents in the county have heeded the advice of public health and governmental officials. This is paying off, and we have not overburdened hospital resources or seen outbreaks in our nursing homes and long term care facilities as a result. Also, testing opportunities have improved significantly during the last week and we are catching up to the state average. Hang tough, resolute and we'll let the virus, data and evidence of mitigation efforts continue to have a positive impact, so that our businesses and economy can reopen in a safe manner.”
The parks that are opening under the jurisdiction of the Flagler County government will be open only for “individual and household recreation,” not for group activities, and do not include beach parks, according to the county’s news release.
The Flagler County park areas that have reopened are:
The county has asked that anyone using the parks abide by executive and emergency orders and follow Florida Department of Health and CDC guidance, including practicing “aggressive social distancing” with a minimum of 6 feet between people, wearing a cloth face covering when out in public, and washing hands frequently for at least 20 seconds or using hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
The county’s community centers, skate park, playgrounds, sports fields, courts and pavilions, and the buildings at Princess Place Preserve, will stay closed, but the county will consider reopening them if the trial opening is successful, according to the county government news release.
