By Richard Kaufman
Sentinel Reporter
After plenty of discussion, coordination and collaboration between the Office of the First Selectman, the Parks & Recreation Department, the Police Department and the Department of Public Works, First Selectman Fred Camillo announced on Friday the limited reopening of various parks and the Town’s four marinas.
With these restricted openings, users must wear masks at all times, refrain from congregating including picnicking or playing of sports. If social distancing protocols are not followed, access to those facilities will be reduced or closed, Camillo said.
“We have a plan in place here that will I think allow for our residents to access the parks and enjoy it, but to do so in a safe manner. We don’t anticipate any issues, but we will have our Greenwich Police Department and our Parks monitors there to make sure everything runs smoothly,” Camillo added.
In the future, as restrictions ease locally and nationally, Camillo said the Town will look to see what else they can do at parks and beaches.
Cos Cob Park: On Monday, May 4, the park will be open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. with monitors limiting access to ensure social distancing. Parking will be available at the Cos Cob train station. There will be limited handicapped accessible parking available in the park parking lot. The playgrounds, playing field, pavilion, benches and restrooms remain closed.
Greenwich Point: Beginning Thursday, May 7, Greenwich Point will be open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. for walkers, runners, cyclists. Capacity will be limited to 500 visitors who will be encouraged to stay no more than two (2) hours so the park can be shared with other residents. The beach will remain closed as well as the picnic tables, grills and restrooms. Further use protocols, maps and signage will be finalized and posted by noon Monday, May 4. Both Greenwich Police and Parks & Recreation staff will be present to enforce all protocols.
Byram Park: Beginning Thursday, May 7, Byram Park will be open daily with limited access beginning from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be a maximum capacity of 150 cars allowed into the park. The beach, pool and playground remain closed to the public.
In order to access Greenwich Point and Byram Park, visitors must have a 2019 or a 2020 Greenwich park pass or a state-issued ID or driver’s license that show a Greenwich address. The last entry to all parks and marinas will be an hour before the posted closing time.
Byram, Cos Cob, Grass Island, Old Greenwich Marinas: Beginning Thursday, May 7, the town’s four marinas will be open for residents to work on boats in storage and to launch them. Daily hours will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please note that restroom facilities will not be available at the marinas.
Griffith E. Harris Golf Course: As previously announced, The Griff will reopen at 8 a.m. Monday, May 4. The operational and playing protocol changes include one person per cart, tee times are by reservation only which can be made online, and the putting green, practice bunker and chipping green remain closed. The complete list of operational and playing protocols can be found here: thegriffgolf.org.
Update on coronavirus in Greenwich
According to the Connecticut Department of Public Health, 37 Greenwich residents have passed away from COVID-19 since the pandemic began, up from the reported number of 33 on Wednesday.
The Greenwich Health Department is reporting that 682 Greenwich residents have now tested positive for the virus — an increase of six since Thursday.
At Greenwich Hospital, as of Friday afternoon, there are 71 COVID-19 postive patients being treated in several different hospital units. So far, 373 patients have been discharged from the Hospital and continue their recuperation at home. There have been 4,914 people tested at the Hospital outpatient test site with 1,672 testing positive. These numbers reflect patients who live in Greenwich as well as those from other municipalities in Connecticut and in Westchester County.
Perryridge Road Convoy
Greenwich Police will escort a convoy of trucks and equipment from Eversource for a drive-by “Thank You” for Greenwich Hospital workers at 9 a.m. Monday, May 4.
Other resources for residents and businesses and other helpful tips
For residents with questions about COVID-19, please call the Greenwich HealthDepartment’s phone lines: 203-622 -7865; 203-622-7703; 203-622-7614; 203-622- 7842 and 203-622-7836.
To reach the Domestic Abuse Services staff at the YWCA, please call the 24/7 hotline at 203-622-0003.
Residents, who need assistance with basic needs, including food, can call the Department of Human Services at 203-622-3800.
Members of the public are encouraged to sign-up for the Town’s Emergency AlertNotification System at greenwichct.bbcportal.com/Entry
If you are concerned about an activity or a group not following COVID-19 protocols, please call the Greenwich Police Department’s non-emergency phone number: 203-622- 8004.
Participate in Census 2020. For people who do not have access to a computer, they can complete it by calling these numbers: English: 1-844-330-2020/Spanish:1-844-468- 2020/ Chinese (Mandarin) 1-844-391-2020/ Chinese (Cantonese) 1-844-398-2020/Haitian Creole: 1-844-474-2020.
Don’t have a face mask? Many people with COVID-19 are asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic, meaning they can transmit the virus without knowing they have it. Easy to follow instructions to make cloth facial masks can be found here.
