ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — After the province announced its “Life with COVID-19” plan Thursday afternoon, St. John’s announced it will reopen city parks and residential dropoff at the Robin Hood Bay dump by the middle of next week.
While the province said municipal parks could reopen May 11, Mayor Danny Breen told reporters that his indication from conversations with the province is that as long as the city has arrangements made to accomodate a safe reopening of city parks, it can go ahead prior to the date set by the province.
Breen said he expects parks, including Bannerman Park and Bowring Park, could be open as early as the middle of next week. Playgrounds, sporting facilities, skate parks, hard-surface courts and dog parks will remain closed until further notice.
Reopening of parks does not affect the city’s plans to consider changes to street and traffic configurations for improved pedestrian safety during the COVID-19 pandemic. Breen said city staff are still putting together options for possible changes, and council will consider them at an upcoming meeting.
Unlikely dump will reopen before May 11
A city news release says staff are working on a plan to safely reopen the residential dropoff at Robin Hood Bay, and a further announcement will be made in the coming days on the exact opening date and hours of operation.
Breen said it’s unlikely it will be ready to open before May 11 because there is work that needs to be done to ensure it complies with public health orders, such as making physical changes at the site.
Due to an anticipated high demand at the landfill, the city will take a phased approach in its reopening. During the first phase, it will be open for household garbage only, and will not accept recycling, yard waste, bulk items, household hazardous waste or electronics.
Breen said Phase 2 will include the collection of other materials normally collected at Robin Hood Bay.
Changes in C.B.S.
The Town of Conception Bay South (C.B.S.) also issued a news release about changes as a result of the provincial update.
Topsail Beach Rotary Park and Worsley Park will reopen on May 11 for walking and running. Public playgrounds, sports fields and the Sgt. Ned Nugent’s Dog Park will remain closed, and gatherings in parks and parking lots are not permitted.
Curbside recycling will resume in C.B.S. on May 5 and will follow the regular collection schedule. For the month of May, there will be a recycling bag limit of six bags per collection day, including cardboard bundles.
The news release said it is anticipated the bag limit will be removed in coming weeks, and it was a decision made to alleviate pressure on the recycling facility in St. John’s.
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