City of Gainesville COVID-19 Update for March 16, 2020
Special Commission Meeting today at 3:30 p.m.
The Gainesville City Commission has scheduled an emergency meeting today at 3:30 p.m. in the City Hall Auditorium in response to COVID-19 preparation. The meeting will be streamed live on Facebook, the City of Gainesville website and TV12.
Notice on Park/Facility Closures and Suspension of City Recreation Programs
The City of Gainesville is working with our community partners around the clock to ensure the safety and public health of our neighbors as it relates to COVID-19. City administration is conducting daily interdepartmental calls to monitor the progression of COVID-19 to ensure we stay informed and prepared to respond as needed. We are also closely following the guidelines provided by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
and the
Florida Department of Health
(FDOH).
As this situation continues to evolve, please take a moment to review the most recent actions the City of Gainesville has implemented to keep our organization and community safe and strong.
Effective today the City will begin closing several of its parks, playgrounds, gymnasiums, pools and recreation facilities until further notice. In addition, all previously scheduled programs, events and recreation activities in city facilities have been temporarily suspended.
*Community Gardens and Tot Lots will remain open at this time.
Open-air parks, fields and trails
that will remain open for public use
include:
- 29th Road Nature Park
- Boulware Springs**
- Broken Arrow Bluff Nature Park
- Citizens Field
- Clear Lake Nature Park
- Colclough Pond Nature Park
- Depot Park**
- Flatwood Conservation Area
- Gum Root Park
- Haisley Lynch Park
- Hibiscus Park
- John Mahon Nature Park
- Loblolly Woods
- Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Complex**
- Morningside Nature Center**
- Palm Point Nature Park
- Split Rock Conservation Area
- Springhill Park
- Sweetwater Wetlands Park**
**Buildings, pools and playgrounds at these facilities will be closed and activities suspended.
*Reserve Park and Green Acres Park gardens would be closed in accordance with associated park closures
March 18: COVID-19 Telephone Town Hall
The City of Gainesville will host a live Telephone Town Hall event about COVID-19 at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, March 18. Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe, members of the City of Gainesville Emergency Management Team and Community Health and Family Medicine physician Dr. Lisa Chacko will provide an update about the virus and field questions from callers. The event is open to everyone by phone regardless of district. Neighbors with landlines are encouraged to
register in advance. You will receive a call back to be connected automatically at the time of the event. Cell phone users can dial in directly by calling 1-888-410-3427.
This is a devastating blow for all of us, but we ask for your patience as we actively work to implement solutions that serve the best interest of our community.
Rest assured, members of the City Emergency Management Team remain vigilant to ensure a healthy environment for you and our community. We’ll continue to keep you informed.
