Sports fields are open for us as open space but closed for organized play
Berkeley's Skate Park has now re-opened with new social distancing protocols as part of a limited easing of restrictions in the updated shelter in place order.
Skate parks are allowed under the new order because they are outdoor activities that do not involve shared equipment or physical contact between participants. Sports involving shared equipment, such as a ball, are still prohibited between people who don't live together. All City athletic courts will remain closed, including basketball, tennis, pickleball, and volleyball courts.
There is neither vaccine nor effective treatment for COVID-19. That means that even as some rules get relaxed, everyone should shelter-in-place except for the few exceptions - when they should wear a face-covering. These are critical acts to prevent the spread of the virus.
Skate Park reopens
Starting today, the Berkeley Skate Park (711 Harrison) will be open from noon to 8pm 7 days a week.
City staff will control the entrance to the park and allow only a limited number of skateboarders into the park at one time. Skaters can pre-register online for a one-hour time slot. A limited number of "walk-up" spaces are available on a first come, first serve basis.
Skaters must maintain 6 feet of distance between one another and start runs from a series of marked areas. Masks are not required while skating but must be worn while waiting in line or outside the park.
Skaters who do not abide by social distancing rules will be asked to leave the park.
Most recreation facilities remain closed
Play structures and athletic courts remain closed. This includes tennis courts, pickleball courts, volleyball, and basketball courts.
Most sports fields and open spaces in parks are still open for community members to enjoy alone or with members of their household, but fields remain closed for permits or organized play. Please do not gather in parks with people you don't live with.
The following facilities remain closed entirely:
Parks
- 63rd Street Mini Park, 1615 63rd St.
- Bateman Mall Park, 3027 Colby St.
- Becky Temko Tot Park, 2424 Roosevelt St.
- Charlie Dohr Mini Park, 2208 Action St.
- Grizzly Peak Park, 50 Whitaker Ave.
- Haskell-Mabel Mini Park, 1255 Haskell St.
- Ohlone Dog Park, 1800 Hearst Ave.
- Price Street Mini Park, 1631 Prince St.
- Virginia McGee Totland, 1644 Virginia
Recreation Centers
- Frances Albrier Community Center, 2800 Park St.
- James Kenney Community Center, 1720 8th St.
- Live Oak Community Center, 1301 Shattuck
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Services Center/Young Adult Project (YAP), 1730 Oregon St.
- Willard Clubhouse, 2720 Hillegass
Recreation facilities
All recreation space is closed with the exception of open space in large parks. All play structures, basketball courts, tennis courts, pickleball courts, volleyball courts, and climbing/bouldering areas are closed.
Standalone facility closures include:
- Adventure Playground, 160 University
- King Pool, 1700 Hopkins
- Shorebird Park nature center, 160 University
- West Campus Pool, 2100 Browning
The first, small steps towards reopening allowed by the new order are possible due to the significant progress we've made as a region in arresting the spread of COVID-19. The sacrifices made by Bay Area residents over the past seven weeks have slowed the increase in new cases and kept our hospitals from becoming overwhelmed.
As we look to build on this progress, it remains essential for everyone to continue practicing social distancing and other COVID-19 precautions, including wearing a face covering when in public, staying 6 feet away from others, and washing your hands regularly with soap and water.
