Montgomery Parks Is Asking Residents To Stay Off Playgrounds

Montgomery County is asking people to refrain from using playgrounds and touching park surfaces like benches and water fountains, said Montgomery Parks Spokesperson Melissa Chotiner. 

The guidance is in response to the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.

“We are posting signs and asking that people refrain from using the equipment for their own health and safety and that of others in our community,” she said in an email to MyMCMedia. 

Chotiner said the county is not going to tape up and close playgrounds, as there are over 200 and it would not be feasible. The City of Takoma Park fenced off and closed playground equipment owned by the city. Montgomery Parks playgrounds are part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and are not closed. 

City-owned playground equipment is restricted from use due to the Covid-19. Unfortunately, #TakomaPark is not able to ensure surfaces can be kept sanitized nor keep children from playing on the equipment. PW staff has fenced off the play equipment: https://t.co/GhZzINKxuJ pic.twitter.com/Q2ym6FpYtk

— TakomaParkMD (@TakomaParkMD) March 20, 2020

About Maryam Shahzad

Maryam is a reporter with Montgomery Community Media. She graduated from the University of Maryland in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism. Previously, she was an intern with MCM. She can be reached at mshahzad@mymcmedia.org or on Twitter @maryam_mcm.

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