East Providence parks will reopen with some restrictions May 8

EAST PROVIDENCE — While parks and recreational areas will reopen in city later this week, certain usages of those spaces will continue to be restricted, according to a supplemental executive order issued by Mayor Bob DaSilva.

The mayor’s latest order takes effect as of Friday, May 8, and mirrors the plans of Gov. Gina Raimondo to rescind some stay-at-home measures implemented throughout the state due to the coronavirus pandemic. The governor's orders are expected to take hold the following day, May 9.

The mayor’s decree states “the use of any amenities available within public parks, fields, playgrounds, and recreation areas within the City of East Providence shall continue to be suspended.” Those amenities include basketball courts, skate parks and tennis courts.

It continues, open areas such as fields and walking paths shall be available for members of the public to use for the purposes of exercise or to recreate. However, all persons visiting the locations shall follow the proper social distancing guidelines outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Rhode Island Department of Health, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and previous mayoral orders to maintain a distance of six feet or more from other persons whenever possible, not congregating in groups of five or more and wearing a mask or cloth face covering if social distancing cannot be maintained.