Residents are encouraged although not mandated to stay home. For a start, policing the exceptions like buying groceries or picking up take-out meals would be difficult. In addition, many people go for a walk to get fresh air or walk their dogs. But now, to increase the pressure to stay home, the Government of Ontario is ordering the closure of all outdoor recreational amenities and this means that the Town of Cobourg is doing the same. On March 23, the Town closed all play equipment and play structures but now, effective immediately, the Town of Cobourg is closing all outdoor recreational amenities including the dog park, beach, skateboard park and tennis courts. Closing our “Blue Flag” beach (see photo and link below) and presumably Victoria Park is a big deal – let’s hope it does not continue into summer.
Spelling it out, the Town says:
Effective immediately, all public or private, outdoor recreational amenities in Cobourg (and across Ontario), including but not limited to sports fields, basketball and tennis courts, off-leash dog park, beach, skateboard parks, picnic areas, outdoor community gardens and park shelters will be closed. Tickets and/or fines will be issued for those who do not adhere to the closure.
Green spaces in parks, trails and ravines can remain open for pass-through access only and visitors must maintain practice social/physical distancing of at least two metres apart from others.
This means there are no outdoor facilities for sports or recreation of any kind.
Presumably dog-walking is allowed but not encouraged since the Province is encouraging “complete stay at home”. And I’d guess that walking across Victoria Park (or other parks) to go shopping or return home is OK?
For the latest as it affects Cobourg, go to this page.
Links
- Ontario Government announcement closing all outdoor recreational amenities
- Cobourg’s Blue Flag Beach
- List of Cobourg’s Parks
Print Article:
Driving home this evening I passed a piper standing at his front doorstep on University Avenue East playing his bagpipes as the sun set. Yay! I wonder if they are taking turns around town now that they can not play at the harbour area park at sunset?
I believe they are.
++kudos
Bummer. Library is closed, so I can’t go there and use their public computer system to vote a “thumbs up” for my own comments on this forum, and/or vote a 2nd time – either up or down – for other comments on this site.
Rats!
The Age of Insanity. What’ next ?——My Backyard !
Yup, even your backyard if you are going to have more than 5 people in it. Unless of course you are burying someone in your backyard, then you can have up to 10.
I agree with you Marc, where everyone avoids mental health. Crime will increase and it is starting in the world. Anti social behaviors will be observed more by professionals. Antisocial personality disorder signs and symptoms are well observed here, in Cobourg, let’s see what it may include:
Disregard for right and wrong. Persistent lying or deceit to exploit others. Being callous, cynical and disrespectful of others. Using charm or wit to manipulate others for personal gain or personal pleasure. Arrogance, a sense of superiority and being extremely opinionated. Recurring problems with the law, including criminal behavior. Repeatedly violating the rights of others through intimidation and dishonesty.
Impulsiveness or failure to plan ahead.
Hostility, significant irritability, agitation, aggression or violence. Lack of empathy for others and lack of remorse about harming others. Unnecessary risk-taking or dangerous behavior with no regard for the safety of self or others. Poor or abusive relationships. Failure to consider the negative consequences of behavior or learn from them. Being consistently irresponsible and repeatedly failing to fulfill work or financial obligations
Adults with antisocial personality disorder typically show symptoms of conduct disorder before the age of 15. Signs and symptoms of conduct disorder include serious, persistent behavior problems, such as:
Aggression toward people and animals. Destruction of property. Deceitfulness, Theft, Serious violation of rules”
So if you are opposed to the new parks ban, contact the Mayor.
This should not be a politically based decision. Everyone needs to understand the objective is about stopping the spread and how best to safeguard the overall population.
The projected death toll in Canada is alarming and the experts are saying July is the most optimistic date before self isolation ends. It most likely could be a lot longer.
The prohibition I believe is provincewide and the Mayor would have no authority to override it.
This is a devasting situation for so many who have fallen ill or lost their jobs. Giving up a stroll in the park pales in comparison.
The mayor has nothing to do with it, this order was issued province-wide.
Parks and local bands who are still planning to play their concerts in the parks and in residence for the elderly should reconsider :
Brass band musicians should not be trumpeting their Last Post. 🎺 They are not immune to covid 19 ! Money is not a reason to play so close together from each others’ spit ! 😷
Same thing with communion! A priest was arrested and jailed in Quebec to have invited to communion his parish promising his blessing will heal and shield them from covid 19! ⚰
Let’s not be gullible in trying times but strong, kind and caring with distanciation. You can follow mass on tv. Free concerts on line and tv, “chair concerts” free books downloads . Seek a change is a sign of intelligence and compassion.
The entire length of Cobourg Creek is a no-go zone. Peace Park and Cobourg Conservation Area (James Cockburn Park) are both on the list shown and off limits.
You are still allowed to “pass-through” are you not? So a walk through Peace Park seems acceptable so long as you are not using it beyond that.
What does the park closure mean for the fishermen/fisherwomen who routinely line the banks of Cobourg Creek in Peace Park? Will they be in contravention of this closure and liable to be ticketed?
Hope so. They are destroying the vegetation, leave garbage and cigarette butts. Fishing line also.
Durka – Not to mention the two homeless camps that have been there – setting fires under dead trees. There are many responsible fisher “people” we are not all slobs. Like anything today without governance the slobs and law breakers come out. Just go for a drive on the 401 – better than the Wild Mouse!
I have been walking the beach every day. It has saved my sanity. Now I dont know what I am going to do. I write this as people I know in Cobourg have just moved their grown children into their house and others have their kids and grandchildren over often. I play by the rules but everyone else should too.
Walk the west beach ?
Glad Dougie is allowing me to still go get a bottle of whiskey at the LCBO, a 24 of Coors at the Beer Store and pick up my double double at Tim Hortons on the way home. But I cant go take a walk in the park to get out of the house, which I do while not coming in contact with anyone else.
I hope to continue to walk through the park and around the paved part of the beach walk. Everybody I’ve met has been very respectful of distances. This is my one real way to maintain my sanity and I’m sure it can be done without bringing harm to anyone else.
Unfortunately there are beaches and areas in other municipalities thay are busy with some not getting the big picture.
At the moment, I see the COVID-19 site put up by the town still states – all parks are open. I emailed them yesterday to advise them re the Dog Park closure, yet they still haven’t made the change to their page.
I think it might have been more polite of the Town to let the CADDOG organization (who manage the dog park for the town), know that they were going to close the park. Had that been done, the CADDOG group would have sent out email notices to the many members, and posted to the 2 Facebook sites of the closure.