The Village of Oak Park | 123 Madison St.  Oak Park, IL 60302 | village@oak-park.us

Main menu

STAY CONNECTED

Sports courts, playgrounds to remain closed through May 29

Oak Park Public Health Director Mike Charley has extended until May 29 his order closing all public playgrounds, fields and courts to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

The order applies to all public basketball, tennis, pickleball and volleyball courts. Organized sports games and competitions also are prohibited. Dog parks may remain open as long as owners comply with the established social distancing requirements.

The extension of the local closing order announced today brings Oak Park in line with the state stay-at-home order issued by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, which is in effect until May 29.

Sports courts have been closed in Oak Park since March 25 out of an abundance of caution to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, which health officials say is most often spread through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.

The droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled by into the lungs. Some recent studies suggest COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

“Two people playing tennis may be able to socially distance, but tennis players share tennis balls and public tennis courts have multiple courts side by side, and if all the courts are full and people are waiting outside for a court to become available, then it becomes a public health concern,” Charley said.

Charley said he will reevaluate his local order based on state guidance and available local COVID-19 public health data.

More information on the Village’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic is posted at www.oak-park.us/covid19.

Click here to read the order