The City of North Battleford has barriers and other measures in place to deter gatherings that could break social distancing protocols, such as filling the Rotary Skate Park with sand and shale. (Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Josh Ryan

Half pipe filled

City deterring recreational gatherings

Apr 22, 2020 | 2:00 PM

Los Angeles fills Venice Skate Park with sand amid #CoronavirusOutbreak

pic.twitter.com/DSWyRGpx5k

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) April 18, 2020

This video of city workers filling a Los Angeles skate park with sand last weekend drew strong debate online. But that’s old news for the City of North Battleford, after shale and sand weeks was dumped into the Rotary Skate Park weeks ago, following COVID-19 restrictions.

“We looked at putting fencing up and thought that wouldn’t stop people who want to skateboard,” City Manager Randy Patrick said. “We wanted to make sure we were doing our best to make sure people stay safe.”

In a poll battlefordsNOW put out online, public opinion was split. Some found it too extreme a measure, while others appreciated the step being in the interest of public health.

“If social distancing isn’t being done at the skate park, then action has to be taken to keep everyone safe,” one Facebook commenter said.

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“If there have been problems, then I support strategies to support social distancing,” said another.

Some mentioned the possibility of vandalism and potential risk increases for using the park if it isn’t cleaned properly, with many expecting skaters to still try to use the park.

“The kids will just bring brooms,” said another commenter.

(Josh Ryan/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Patrick said they’ve received limited feedback on all public spaces closed during the pandemic. Part of the reasoning for this move was the usage rate of the park, compared to indoor facilities.

“Typically we can close the doors,” Patrick said. “This one we found a different way of making sure it’s not being used inappropriately.”

Other criticisms from residents included concerns of additional costs for future cleanup. Patrick said the department will have savings at the end of the restrictions because maintenance of the park has been minimal.

“There’s not a huge cost to us,” he said.

The Government of Saskatchewan is introducing its plan to gradually re-open the economy this week. Patrick said until restrictions on public gatherings are lifted, the city will continue to everything possible to keep the public safe.

“We’re trying to avoid having people congregating where they’re going to be too close together,” he said. “At open parks and fields, we have no way of monitoring or preventing that.”

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josh.ryan@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JoshRyanSports