LONGMEADOW – Town Manager Lyn Simmons provided an update on June 12 in regard to playground and basketball court reopenings, summer camps, community pools, recreation fields and Greenwood Daycare Center.

According to Simmons, as of June 12, basketball hoops and nets would be returned and restored, and town playgrounds began to reopen. Signage, she said, would be placed at play structures to notify users of safety guidelines they should follow – including washing hands frequently and following social distancing protocols. Simmons noted that the town would not be sanitizing equipment and surfaces between uses.

When it came to the discussion of summer camps, Simmons said that “after a lengthy review,” the town made the decision that “it is not feasible to open recreational summer camps this season.” She explained, “Given the complexity of keeping campers and staff safe as defined in the guidelines, the Parks and Recreation Department could not offer the quality programming that camp participants are accustomed to. The Parks & Recreation Department is evaluating if there are programs that can be offered this summer that would meet the health and safety guidelines while also maintaining the standard of programming they are committed to offering.”

Bliss and Greenwood pools will not be opening this year, Simmons said, due to the complexity of the guidance related to community pools and the limited capacity that would be allowed at each facility. In addition, the splash pad located at Greenwood Park will remain closed for the summer season as well.

Recreation fields, she said, are open and limited team sports and sports leagues use of the fields “will begin soon.”

“For now, groups of 10 or fewer may use the fields but no scrimmages or games are authorized until the town receives more guidance from the State,” she said in a press release. She later noted that the Parks and Recreation Department are looking into offering sports clinics during the summer to be hosted outside and limited to 10 participants or less.

Finally, she updated the status of Greenwood Daycare Center. The daycare will remain closed through the summer season, Simmons said, adding that the staff are “reviewing the guidance and applying it to the facility to ensure that a reopening in the fall will be done following all necessary health and safety guidance.”