All outdoor recreation amenities in Owen Sound have been closed effectively immediately, in accordance with the provincial government's order issued Monday evening.
The Ford government issued an order under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act to close all communal or shared, public or private, outdoor recreation amenities across Ontario.
The provincial order acknowledged that green spaces in parks, trails, ravines and conservation areas that aren't otherwise closed would remain open for walkthrough access.
All outdoor sports facilities and fields, including baseball diamonds, soccer fields, frisbee golf locations, tennis courts, table tennis, pickleball courts and basketball courts in Owen Sound are now closed.
BMX and skate parks are also shuttered in the city, as are all off-leash dog areas, community garden, outdoor picnic sites, benches and shelters in parks, and any park areas that contain outdoor fitness equipment.
The provincial order also included the closure of all outdoor playground structures and equipment, but Owen Sound had already closed these amenties on March 18 over concerns the virus can survive outdoors in current weather conditions.
City trails, green spaces in parks and open spaces remain open. But, city officials remind citizens at parks must adhere to physical distancing measures, not utilize any closed equipment or recreation amenities and remain in groups of five people or less.