By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
Playground equipment in Hays city parks has been roped off and cannot be utilized following the governor's statewide "Stay at Home" Executive Order 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."
Park restrooms are routinely closed and the water shut off during the winter months. They had not yet been reopened for the season.
"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.
The governor's Executive Order 20-16, https://governor.kansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EO20-16.pdf, remains in force until rescinded, until April 19th, or until the Statewide Disaster Emergency Declaration expires, whichever is earliest.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.
