Bend Park & Rec, city of Redmond delay planned reopening of sport courts

Pickleball, tennis, bocce and horseshoes will be back - not basketball, volleyball

(Update: Redmond joins BPRD in putting sport court reopening on hold)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Bend Park and Recreation District said Wednesday it had planned to reopen its pickleball, tennis, bocce and horseshoe courts on Thursday.

But late Wednesday afternoon, the park district said its plans for reopening the courts is on hold.

"There is difference in interpretation of the statewide Outdoor Recreation guidelines that must be resolved," park district spokeswoman Julie Brown said, adding that details will follow in the coming days.

The city of Redmond also announced Wednesday that its tennis and pickleball courts will reopen Thursday.

But it made a similar announcement follow-up: "City of Redmond was informed this evening that the opening of tennis and pickleball courts must be postponed until further guidance is given by state agencies.  We apologize for the inconvenience and look forward to receiving clarity on when we can resume use of the courts."

Here's the earlier announcement by BPRD:

All BPRD sport courts were closed several weeks ago by the governor’s executive order, and reopening is in accordance with the Guidance for Outdoor Recreation. As a result, basketball, volleyball and other contact sports are still prohibited, the park district said.

The reopening also includes temporary use rules to ensure safe conditions for play while maintaining distance and minimizing touching of shared equipment.

“We appreciate the enthusiasm of sport court participants who have eagerly awaited the reopening of these park amenities,” said Michelle Healy, deputy executive director of Bend Park and Rec. “We are hopeful that the temporary rules will be followed safely and in consideration of the pandemic situation in our community.”

Signs are being placed at sport courts to inform park users of temporary use rules. A park locator is available with details about park amenities and locations.

Temporary use rules:

• Maintain six-foot distancing from others at all times.
• Don’t congregate on courts, in common areas, or parking lots. Limit or stagger playing groups.
• Play singles – doubles play with household members only. Wash hands with soap and water and bring hand sanitizer to
• Clean and sanitize paddles, rackets and water bottles. Do not share equipment.
• Avoid touching gates, fences, nets, benches,
• Use your paddle, racket, or shoe to pass out-of-play balls. Consider wearing gloves to help avoid touching pickleballs or tennis balls.
• Coordinate your group so each person serves with a different colored or numbered ball. If that’s not an option, mark personal balls for individual use.
• Virtual handshakes and high fives.

Do not play if:

• You have coronavirus symptoms: mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, coughing, difficulty breathing, or other symptoms identified by the CDC.
• Have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
• Are a vulnerable individual and/or have underlying health

Players are encouraged to use their own judgment to determine their ability to  participate. Voluntary compliance with temporary rules is crucial to keep facilities open as we continue through the pandemic.

The City of Redmond Parks Division had said it would open all tennis and pickleball courts on Thursday at 8 a.m., a move now delayed.

Here's that earlier announcement: 

The net court reopening is in accordance with Governor Kate Brown’s approval of Phase 1 implementation for Deschutes County.  All tennis and pickleball players are asked to observe the following COVID guidelines for play:

•             Play singles only, unless household members. Doubles is not conducive for six-foot social distancing and leads to incidental contact.

•             Doubles play should only be with household members.

•             Maintain proper social distancing from other players in between games and during time outs.

•             Wash your hands with soap and water and bring personal use hand sanitizer to the courts.

•             Clean and wipe down your paddles, rackets and water bottles. Do not share paddles, rackets or any other equipment.

•             Bring tissues or a handkerchief for contained sneezing and coughing or consider wearing a mask.

•             Consider wearing gloves to the courts and avoid touching court gates, fences, benches, etc.

•             Consider wearing gloves during play to avoid picking up pickleballs or tennis balls with your hands.

•             Sanitize pickleballs or tennis balls and racket handle prior to coming to the facility.

•             Coordinate with your play group so that each person serves with a different color ball. If multiple colors are not an option, prominently mark personal pickleballs for individual use.

•             Avoid contact with others, such as hand shaking and high fives.

•             Limit or stagger playing groups.

•             Use your paddle and foot to pass out-of-play balls.

Do not play if:

•             You have coronavirus symptoms: mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, coughing, difficulty breathing, or other symptoms identified by the CDC.

•             Have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.

•             Are a vulnerable individual with underlying health conditions.

City parks’ restroom facilities remain closed and drinking fountains are not in service. Park users are encouraged to bring their own water bottles and hygiene supplies such as hand sanitizer.