Arlington Recreation Centers, Athletics Center to Reopen with Limited Capacity Monday, May 18, 2020
By Melissa Entralgo, Arlington Parks & Recreation
Posted on May 13, 2020, May 13, 2020

Welcome Back: Arlington Parks & Recreation

Please note, the information below is subject to change at any time as new information and resources become available.

In accordance with Governor Greg Abbott’s plan to reopen Texas, Arlington Parks & Recreation facilities will reopen in a limited capacity on Monday, May 18, 2020.

Cliff Nelson Recreation Center, Dottie Lynn Recreation Center, Hugh Smith Recreation Center and Elzie Odom Athletic Center will reopen with temporary operating hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Hugh Smith Indoor Pool will also open and operate under new standards.

Click here to read our Aquatics article for more information.

At this time, Eunice Activity Center along with Senior Center New York will remain closed. However, each recreation center and athletic center will have designated senior times.

Please see our web page for full program schedules.

We are implementing many changes at the centers as we work toward a new operating normal. We appreciate your patience and flexibility, as your safety and health remain our top priority.

All centers will be diligently operating under regulated six-foot social distancing practices. Centers will be operating at 25% room capacity or less, and class sizes will be limited based on room capacity to ensure we maintain proper social distancing. Basketball gyms are limited to two persons per goal for open shoot around only; time limit may be enforced. The indoor track at Elzie Odom Athletic Center is open for use but requiring social distancing as well.

At this time, rentals are not permitted. Equipment you could normally check out, such as basketballs, hand weights, mats, etc., will not be available, so please bring your own. Disinfecting of your equipment is required upon entrance as well as before and after use. Water fountains, showers, and lockers are not available for use. Please plan accordingly. Water bottles will be for sale and/or vending machines will be open at select facilities.

Upon arrival, visitors can expect: no contact check-ins and for equipment to be public facing and disinfected regularly. You may see staff and members wearing face masks and gloves—just know staff is smiling and happy to see you! Face masks and gloves are encouraged but not required during your visit. High-touch surface areas will be disinfected regularly throughout the day. Staff will also be implementing safety breaks to allow for disinfection of equipment, during those times some equipment in the weight room will be temporarily unavailable.

Visitors are expected to follow traffic flow expectations that will be visible; staff will be enforcing these. Proper and frequent hand washing is required and expected of visitors and staff. Along with equipment, visitors must also disinfect personal belongings upon arrival and exit. Sanitizing stations have been set up throughout the facility, which visitors can use as frequent as desired.

Staff and visitors are expected to self-screen before entering. You will notice chairs and other seating have been removed from lobbies as lingering and socializing is not permitted during this phase.

Parks staff is working closely with the Arlington Fire Department to monitor and implement a reasonable re-opening timeline that complies with Gov. Abbott’s latest executive orders, the City’s Roadmap to Reopen and Recover plan and social distancing recommendations from local health officials and the CDC.

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