LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — As more businesses close, Lexington Parks and Recreation is working to make sure people can get out and enjoy the outdoors while still being healthy.
The city’s five golf courses are still open to public. After all, it’s pretty easy to stay far apart from others on the course. Parks and Recreation has taken even more steps to keep people safe.
”We’ve shut down all the shops, so no one can come in or out of the shops,” Golf Services Manager Curtis Mitchell said. “You’ll see on the practice greens that there are no flag sticks, but on the golf course there are. There’s a pool noodle at the bottom of the cup that stops the ball from going in the hole. There’s no need to touch the flag stick. There’s no need to touch anything.”
When it comes to getting out on a family walk, city employees say hiking trails have been busy lately. While they want people to take advantage of the trails, they also want to make sure there aren’t any crowds.
"As people come in and it's been a family of four or family of five, that sort of thing, we've been careful about not asking folks to congregate in the patio area and that sort of thing,” said Jennifer Sanchez, the manager of Raven Run Nature Sanctuary. “We're doing our best to make sure that everybody is following all of the same guidelines.”
Parks are also still open, but families are encouraged to wipe down playground equipment before and after kids use them.
Parks and Recreation is also using social media to help entertain kids. The department released an online resource guide filled with links to animal live streams, virtual park tours and nature apps.
The department is also sharing activities on its Facebook page that get kids to explore nature, like a digital naturalist program where you can earn badges.
"As long as people are keeping their distance, we’re really encouraging them to get fresh air wherever that may be,” said Sanchez.
You can learn more on Lexington Parks and Recreation’s Facebook page. (https://www.facebook.com/lexkyparks/)
