The City of Pleasant Ridge is cancelling all recreation programs, events, and activities through Labor Day. This decision was difficult. We do not know how long it will be necessary to observe social distancing, but it is very likely to through the summer and fall of this year as we work to keep the curve flat and prevent future waves of COVID-19. We don’t have perfect foresight but proceeding with our summer activities and programs could have far greater consequences than cancelling too soon. With those considerations, the City Commission and staff feel that it is best to err on the side of caution to protect the public health, safety and welfare. Specifically:
- The Memorial Day ceremony is cancelled.
- The pool will not open this year. The executive order closing places of public accommodation extends beyond the pool’s scheduled May 22 opening date. The American Red Cross is not offering lifeguard training, and we have not been able to staff the pool with lifeguards. Even if we could train staff for a later opening, it is unlikely that pool staff and users could maintain proper social distancing. The swim team season is also cancelled.
- The wellness center will remain closed pursuant to the Governor’s executive order. We will re-open this facility when gyms and fitness centers are permitted to re-open by the Governor.
- Summer camp is cancelled for 2020. We cannot expect children to maintain the social distancing requirements for summer camp, and we could only accommodate a fraction of the normal number of attendees because of distancing requirements in the building. Our normal field trip activities are questionable, and many will be cancelled. Parents, we know that this is a loss for you, and your kids.
- Summer activities and recreation events are cancelled, including the ice cream social, adult volleyball league, summer camp-out, and swim lessons.
- 50+ Club events and trips are cancelled until further notice.
- The community garage sale is tentatively rescheduled to August 8, although this is likely to change.
- The Home and Garden Tour is cancelled.
- The Historical Museum is closed until further notice.
We have consulted with Oakland County and our neighboring communities, and all are making similar decisions to close pools, recreation facilities, summer events, and summer camps. All nearby public pools will be closed this year.
We know that the pool, summer camp, recreation programs, and community events are integral to the close-knit social fabric of our community. They are part of what makes Pleasant Ridge a unique and friendly place to live. We know that keeping the pool closed and cancelling our programs and events this summer will be a loss, but we trust that the Pleasant Ridge community will understand the need to take these actions to protect the health and well-being of our residents and the public at large.
The Recreation department will continue to work on ways of offering virtual recreation programming through Facebook at (facebook.com/pleasantridgerec). Future updates on our virtual recreation offerings will be shared there. Please email Recreation Director Shawnie Stamper at sstamper@cityofpleasantridge.org with any recreation questions.
The City will share our re-opening plans with the community in the coming weeks as things take shape. To stay up to date visit www.cityofpleasantridge.org and click on the “Covid-19 Information” link on the homepage.
