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Recreation and Park COVID-19 Resources

Updated April 13, 2020

Contents

PRPS Statement
Position Statements
PRPS Administration, Training and Engagement
Pennsylvania Park Maintenance Institute Update
Webinars and Roundtables
PRPS Virtual Roundtables
Local, State and Federal Information and Resources
Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
Pennsylvania Department of Health
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Pennsylvania Local Municipal Parks
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Resources
Other Federal, National, World Resources
Resource Related to COVID-19 in other Languages
General Park and Recreation Resources
Health & Wellness Guidance Resources
Park, Facility, Playground and Maintenance Resources
Landscaping Resources
Aquatics Resources
How Parks and Recreation Are Engaging Their Communities
Nutrition & Food Distribution Resources
Children & Family Resources
Downloadable Infographics and Flyers

PRPS Statement
PRPS is committed to helping our members and partners take necessary steps to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in the parks and public spaces they manage, and make well-informed decisions on adaptive and emergency operations.

PRPS urges its members to frequently refer to and follow the recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as guidance is continually updated as additional information becomes available.

Local park and recreation professionals fill a key role in community health and wellness opportunities every day. PRPS supports their leadership efforts and encourages its members and partners to work with their local health departments to review emergency response plans, practice routine environmental cleaning, and keeping their workplaces safe.

Position Statements
PRPS Concurrence with NRPA Position Statements

On Playgrounds and Play Structures March 30, 2020
On Using Parks and Open Space While Maintaining Physical Distancing March 18, 2020

PRPS Position Statements
Our Parks and Greenspaces Matter More Than Ever April 1, 2020

PRPS Administration, Training and Engagement

The PRPS Office is closed and its staff is working remotely. Emails are the best way to reach us, but phone messages are being monitored and returned. PRPS is following the CDC Employer Response Recommendations for its office and events, and has eliminated non-essential travel through mid-May.

Most in-person workshops scheduled through May have been cancelled or rescheduled, some as webinars. See the list of upcoming PRPS Workshops and Webinars, including FREE Virtual Roundtables.

Members may post specific questions and responses in the interactive forum of the PRPS companion Facebook page What’s Up P+R?! and watch for other relevant news and updates on the PRPS Facebook page.

Pennsylvania Park Maintenance Institute Update

The Pennsylvania Park Maintenance Institute has introduced a new page, providing facility and operation specific resources intended for park maintenance professionals impacted by the current health crisis. If you have any specific questions that you would like answered, contact the Institute Director, BK Koehler for assistance.

Webinars and Roundtables
Webinar: Recap & Transcript Park Leaders and COVID-19: Serving The Community in Challenging Times, City Parks Alliance (March 30, 2020)
Webinar: Communication during the COVID-19 Pandemic? Tips & Strategies for the Environmental Education Community, NAAEE (March 26, 2020)
Webinar: Continuity Planning and Emergency Management, NRPA

PRPS Virtual Roundtables
Health & Wellness Roundtable Recording: Click here
Maintenance Roundtable Recording: Click here
Aquatics Roundtable Recording: Click here

Local, State and Federal Information and Resources
Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
Office of the Governor Live Stream Events
Responding to COVID-19 in Pennsylvania: Cases in PA, Statewide Mitigation, Stay at Home Order (Guidance PDF), Resources for Individuals, Schools, Businesses & Care Facilities
Governor’s Office press releases
Industry Operation Guidance on physical operation closures
Governor’s Shutdown Order on Landscape Services, PA Landscape & Nursery Assoc.

Pennsylvania Department of Health
PA COVID-19 Update
Situation Summary
Media Releases
Daily COVID-19 Report

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Alert Details
Guidance on Spending Time Outdoors

Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
COVID-19 Information about commission activities
Practice social distancing while fishing video

Pennsylvania Local Municipal Parks For the most accurate information, contact your the park owner or trail steward.
Local Parks & Trails Closings by County updated 4/3/20
Montgomery County
Berks County
Chester County
Bucks County
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
Please share similar listings to eschnellbaugh@prps.org

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Resources
Guidance for Administrators in Park and Recreation Facilities (April 13, 2020)
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Get Your Mass Gatherings or Large Community Events Ready
Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers
Community and Faith-Based Organizations
Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations
Communications Resources
Cases and Latest Updates
Drinking Water, Recreational Water and Wastewater
Answering 20 Questions about COVID-19
Cleaning and Disinfection for Community Facilities
Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility
Guidance on Childcare

Other Federal, National, World Resources
The White House Coronavirus Guidelines for America

NIH Training Resources for Protecting Yourself from COVID-19 in the Workplace
USDA Food and Nutrition Service Guidance on Human Pandemic Response
WHO: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO)
Johns Hopkins CSSE Coronavirus: COVID-19 Global Cases GIS Dashboard

Resource Related to COVID-19 in other Languages
Espanol, EPA
Other Languages, EPA
See PA Parks and Forest Foundation infographic at bottom of webpage

General Park and Recreation Resources
CDC’s Face Covering Recommendation — Implications for Parks and Recreation, NRPA (April 7, 2020)
How to Communicate to Your Public About Safe Use of Parks, NRPA (April 1, 2020)
How Can Public Space managers Help Fight COVID-19, Project for Public Spaces
Joint Statement on Using Parks and Open Space While Maintaining Social Distancing, NRPA
Access to Parks and the Outdoors is Crucial for Mental Health in Our Communities, NRPA
This is Going to Leave a Mark, PRPS
FEMA Emergency Declaration: Public Assistance for COVID-19 Financial Impacts, NRPA
Urban Park and Recreation Leaders Discuss Fast-Evolving Impacts of the Coronavirus Pandemic, NRPA
Coronavirus: What Impact Will COVID-19 Have on Parks and Recreation?, NRPA
How Park and Recreation Leaders are Addressing Coronavirus — Episode 61, NRPA
Statement on Coronavirus Disease 2019, NRPA

Health & Wellness Guidance Resources
COVID-19 Guidance for Park and Recreation Sites that Operate USDA Child Nutrition Programs
COVID-19 in Parks and Recreation: Supporting Community Health and Wellbeing During an Outbreak
COVID-19 and Older Adults: Assisting Our Most Vulnerable Population
No Kid Hungry Coronavirus Grant Request
Serving Meals During COVID-19: Out-of-School Time Partners
Staying Safe, Healthy, and Entertained During the Coronavirus, NEEF

Park, Facility, Playground and Maintenance Resources

EPA Registered Antimicrobial ProductsEffective Against COVID-19
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) guidance
Experts: Stop taking children to playgrounds, playdates during coronavirus outbreak, Global News
Cleaning Procedures for Campgrounds and Recreation Areas, Recreation Resource Management
Keeping a Safe Social Distance in Parks and on Trails During the COVID-19 Pandemic, NRPA
State of Play Guide to Playground Hygiene, AAA
Playground Professionals How Clean Are Your Playgrounds?
Recommendations on Cleaning and Disinfection, CDC
Guidance on COVID-19, OSHA
Governor’s Shutdown Order on Landscape Services, PA Landscape & Nursery Assoc.
Playworld has provided advice on cleaning playground equipment
Check with your playground/equipment manufacturer for cleaning and sanitizing instructions.

Landscaping Resources

COVID-19 Resources By State, Nursery & Landscape Association of North America (NLAE)

News and Resources, National Association of Landscape Professionals

Aquatics Resources
Resources on Drinking Water, Recreational Water and Wastewater, CDC
Water, sanitation, hygiene and waste management for COVID-19, WHO
World Health Organization Technical Brief

How Parks and Recreation Are Engaging Their Communities
San Francisco Recreation and Parks Matrix for Assessing Permitted Events
Park and Recreation Agencies Step Up to Provide Meals During COVID-19 Pandemic, NRPA
City of Watsonville (CA) Virtual Recreation Center
Farmers Branch (TX) Community Recreation Center "See You Soon" Video
Grapevine Parks and Recreation (TX) 3-Minute Workout
Georgia State Park Isolating COVID-19 Patients

Nutrition & Food Distribution Resources
Food and Nutrition Service Guidance on Human Pandemic Response, USDA
Nationwide Child Nutrition Waivers, USDA - to ensure access to meals through the child nutrition programs as communities respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and to issue waivers to increase cost

Children & Family Resources
Responding to Children’s Emotional Needs During Times of Crises, HealthyChildren.org
Food and Nutrition Service Guidance on Human Pandemic Response, USDA
Keep kids' play dates small, outside and low-contact during pandemic, doctors advise, NPR News
Dealing with Disappointment During Coronavirus Cancellations, Postponements, Positive Coaching Alliance

Downloadable Infographics and Flyers

A New Outdoors Etiquette (pdf) (jpg)
En Español (pdf) (jpg)

Download the infographic here or right click on the image and save.

National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) infographics on Social Distancing in Parks and Trails
To copy or share the image, click on it to open the full size in a new tab, then right click the image and choose “save as” or copy and paste into a document.