“I am excited that we can reopen the parks,” Amy Mangold, Newtown Parks and Recreation Director, told The Newtown Bee, May 15, announcing the May 20 reopening of Treadwell and Dickinson Parks. “Our local parks, trails, and open spaces have always served as places where people can find respite and seek peace and restoration. During this time of uncertainty, these places are needed now more than ever.”

While looking forward to offering these amenities once again to residents, Mangold stressed that erring on the side of caution to keep all users safe is essential to being able to keep the parks open to the public.

While the parks proper at Treadwell and Dickinson are open for people to enjoy, playgrounds will be fenced off and closed; and Newtown Park & Bark Dog Park on Old Farm Road will remain closed. The skate park at the Dickinson Park is also currently closed to use. Basketball courts will be locked, following current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.

Tennis and pickleball nets will be put up with signs that specify singles matches and other guidelines for safe play. “Don’t switch sides,” Mangold recommended, and suggested that if a court is not available, returning later rather than waiting with others is a better way to practice safe social distancing. “Please don’t mingle,” she urged.

No organized sports of any kind will be allowed on any of the town athletic fields at this time, even those involving groups of neighborhood youth. “We cannot allow any kind of organized sports,” Mangold stressed, adding that family units were acceptable.

An important point Mangold brought up is that restrooms will be locked due to the amount of sanitization required and the inability to control these areas for social distancing. Portapotties will be placed at the parks “for those emergencies,” she said. She suggested that anyone using the parks plan ahead and bring their own hand sanitizer, as well as face masks.

“Be smart, be prepared. We would like people to follow CDC guidelines,” Mangold said.

Park users will not find picnic tables at Dickinson Pavilion, so picnic blankets are recommended. Treadwell Pavilion will be closed because of the bolted down tables.

Beginning May 20, Parks and Recreations will have current staff acting as park ambassadors, greeting guests as they drive into the park, often and regularly, to check for resident and nonresident permits. “Ambassadors/staff will ask guests what they are looking to do at the park and remind them of the rules, that bathrooms are closed, and to enforce the social distancing and health guidelines. We will have signage as well for when the entrances are not monitored,” said the Parks and Recreation director.

A resident permit should be visible on the vehicle. Residents with ID and no permit will be allowed into the park; nonresidents will be guided to purchase a permit online at newtown-ct.gov/parks-recreation, or through the office, to use the parks, at the nonresident rate of $150 per sticker for the season. Passes for Newtown/Sandy Hook residents are free and can be obtained online or by calling the Parks & Rec office, Monday through Friday, between 8 am and 4:30 pm. Permits can be picked up at the Parks & Recreation office, 8 Simpson Street (Newtown Community Center entrance) or mailed. A vehicle registration is needed to receive a permit.

Police will also be doing directed patrol and help watch that rules and guidelines are being followed.

Plans to open Eichler’s Cove Beach in early June are being addressed, with no guidelines yet in place for opening the pool at Treadwell Park. A reduced rate for the aquatic membership has been discussed. Residents should look for more information on the use of the beach and pool in upcoming weeks.

“Our messaging will be clear and strong that if parks get too crowded, and guests do not follow the rules, we will be locking them again,” cautioned Mangold. “We have to look out for the safety and welfare of our citizens.

The reopening of the two parks means “more open space, more areas to leisurely recreate,” said Mangold. “It’s a lot to balance and work through, but I feel this is a step in the right direction for safely phasing to reopening our facilities and giving our residents more recreational options and benefits.”