Outdoor Amenities: what's open and what’s closed

North Bay, ON – May 27, 2020 – The province recently reopened some park and outdoor space amenities with physical distancing protocols. The following list provides information to help users understand what is open and what is not open in the City of North Bay, as well as any limits that may be in place on the use open amenities.

Sports Fields

• Publicly accessible multi-use sport-fields (not gated) are open to individuals and for casual play. Team sports or groups of more than five that are not part of the same household are still not permitted due to provincial emergency orders.

Skate Park

• The Skate Park at Thomson Park is now open. Physical distancing of at least two metres is required and groups of more than five people are still restricted. 

Outdoor Tennis, Pickleball and Basketball Courts

• Open with physical distancing protocols.
• Players using courts are encouraged to bring hand sanitizer. Players are reminded to mark their own tennis or pickle balls and to kick their partners’ pickle and tennis balls back to them.
• Please use respectfully and wait if needed based on occupancy.

Off-Leash Dog Park

• Closed at this time. 

Parks and Open Spaces

• Open for passive use by individuals or members of the same household. Examples of activities that are permissible include personal fitness, playing catch or kicking a ball.

Picnic shelters & benches

• Open with physical distancing protocols.
• Please note these areas are not being cleaned or disinfected and users should take standard COVID-19 precautions when using. 

Marinas and Boat launches

• Open with physical distancing protocols.
• If another boater is launching a boat when you arrive, please queue in line and remain in your vehicle until they are finished. Do not congregate near the boat launch prior to or after launching your boat.
• Ensure you are maintaining a distance of two metres apart from others while loading/unloading boats and while on the waterways.

Playgrounds and splash pads

• Play structures, including swings, slides, splash pads and outdoor exercise equipment are closed at this time.

Public Washrooms

• Washroom facilities at the Waterfront Marina are now open with physical distancing protocols. Preparations are underway for additional facilities to open in consultation with public health. Please follow public health recommendations regarding safe handwashing and hygiene.

Beaches

• Congregating on public beaches is still not permitted. All public beaches, including Marathon Beach and the Golden Mile Beach on Lake Nipissing, the Birchaven Cove and Olmsted Beach on Trout Lake, are available for walk-through access only.

• Public accesses to lakes are open for individuals to enter the water or launch a canoe or kayak. Do not congregate on shore. In all cases, physical distancing of at least two metres is required and groups of more than five people are still restricted.