<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585607259260.png" alt="A merry-g0-round is roped off in the playground area of Ekey Park, 17th and Holmes Rd., in Hays Monday. All playground equipment in the city's parks, which remain open, was closed today in response to the governor's "Stay at Home" order." />
 <figcaption>A merry-g0-round is roped off in the playground area of Ekey Park, 17th and Holmes Rd., in Hays Monday. All playground equipment in the city's parks, which remain open, was closed today in response to the governor's "Stay at Home" order.</figcaption>
 </figure>By BECKY KISER Hays PostPlayground equipment in Hays city parks has been roped off and cannot be utilized following the governor's statewide&nbsp;<a href="https://hayspost.com/posts/5e7fed84afae0f4d5f5e6e07">"Stay at Home" Executive Order</a>&nbsp;issued Saturday, March 28.Gov. Laura Kelly's order became effective Monday morning and Hays Parks Department employees spent the day roping off play equipment and shelters in the city's parks, posting "Closed" signs nearby."The parks and walking trails remain open," Collin Bielser, asst. city manager said Monday afternoon, "but restrooms, playground equipment, and shelters are closed. This includes the Hays Dog Park and the municipal golf course."&nbsp;Park restrooms are routinely closed and the water shut off during the winter months. They had not yet been reopened for the season.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585607227389.png" alt="Swings are zip-tied to the tops of swing sets&nbsp;" />
 <figcaption>Swings are zip-tied to the tops of swing sets&nbsp;</figcaption>
 </figure>"We encourage the public to follow the guidelines for social distancing at city parks," Bielser added. CDC guidelines for social distancing are six feet of separation between people and no more than 10 people gathered in one place.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585607412496.png" alt="Roped-off shelter area in Ekey Park" />
 <figcaption>Roped-off shelter area in Ekey Park</figcaption>
 </figure>The governor's Executive Order 20-16, <a href="https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EO20-16.pdf">https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EO20-16.pdf</a>, remains in force until&nbsp;rescinded, until April 19th, or until the Statewide Disaster Emergency Declaration expires, whichever is earliest.Government operations are specifically defined as an essential function and the city of Hays continues to provide all essential services, although city buildings remain closed to the public.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/3/1585607707940.png" alt="Roped-off playground equipment in Sunrise Park, 19th and McArthur (Photo courtesy Theresa Trapp)" />
 <figcaption>Roped-off playground equipment in Sunrise Park, 19th and McArthur (Photo courtesy Theresa Trapp)</figcaption>
 </figure>

Playground equipment closed, city parks remain open