Public Notice
HTPD Coronavirus (COVID-19) Precautions
The health and wellness of the community is of top priority for the Harrisburg Township Park District (HTPD). We have made it a priority to track the latest developments regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and monitor its impact on our community. The HTPD Board of Commissioners has made a decision to suspend programs utilizing the park facilities, close the restroom facilities, close the Community Room facility, and to not book any events at the park, starting March 16, 2020 and running through the end of March. HTPD aims to follow recommendations from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Center for Disease Control. HTPD will examine all options necessary with the well-being of the community in mind and will reevaluate the coronavirus concerns as needed. UPDATE 3/21/2020: PER IL EXECUTIVE ORDER 2020-10 SECTION 5C, "TO ENGAGE IN OUTDOOR ACTIVITY, PROVIDED THE INDIVIDUALS COMPLY WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIREMENTS, AS DEFINED BELOW, SUCH AS, BY WAY OF EXAMPLE AND WITHOUT LIMITATION, WALKING, HIKING, RUNNING, OR BIKING. INDIVIDUALS MAY GO TO PUBLIC PARKS AND OPEN OUTDOOR RECREATION AREAS. HOWEVER, PLAYGROUNDS MAY INCREASE THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 AND THEREFORE SHALL BE CLOSED." THE HARRISBURG TOWNSHIP PARK DISTRICT ASKS THAT ALL PATRONS ADHERE TO THE PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 2020-10 AND REFRAIN FROM USING DISTRICT PLAYGROUNDS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE AND FOLLOW THE SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIREMENTS. ADDITIONAL CLOSURES AT THIS TIME INCLUDE THE TENNIS COURTS, PICKLEBALL COURTS, AND BASKETBALL COURTS. ALSO, THE HARRISBURG TOWNSHIP PARK DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE WILL BE CLOSED DURING THE "STAY AT HOME" PERIOD OF MARCH 21, 2020 THROUGH APRIL 7, 2020. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, PLEASE CALL THE PARK EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT 618-201-6352. THANKS.
UPDATE 4/10/2020: AT THE APRIL 10, 2020 PARK BOARD MEETING IT WAS DECIDED TO EXTEND CLOSURE OF PROGRAMS, RENTALS, RESERVATIONS, BATHROOMS, AND OTHER FACILITIES UNTIL MAY 1, 2020 DUE TO THE EXTENDED "STAY AT HOME" ORDER FROM THE GOVERNOR.
UPDATE 5/1/2020: AT THE MAY 1, 2020 PARK BOARD MEETING IT WAS DECIDED TO EXTEND CLOSURE OF PROGRAMS, RENTALS, RESERVATIONS, BATHROOMS, AND OTHER FACILITIES UNTIL MAY 30, 2020 DUE TO THE EXTENDED "STAY AT HOME" ORDER FROM THE GOVERNOR.
The HTPD would like to remind our patrons to practice social distancing (6 ft) and to use proper sanitation while using our parks. Please keep in mind CDC guidance of groups of 10+ people gathering together.
Please contact me personally with any questions or concerns at (618)-252-2111.
For more information about COVID-19, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website by clicking here, the World Health Organization’s website by clicking here, the National Park and Recreation Association by clicking here or the Illinois Department of Public Health by clicking here. For the latest from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding guidance on Outdoor Play/Use of Outdoor Playgrounds, click here.
UPDATED CDC Resources for parks: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/parks-rec/index.html
Sincerely,
Blake Emery, Executive Director
2020 Board Meetings
At the regular monthly board meeting on November 22, 2019, the Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the date, time, and location of the 2020 regular monthly meetings. All board meetings will be held the 3rd Friday of each month at 8:00 a.m. at the Park Main Office located at 921 W. Poplar St. The following indicates the dates of the meetings: January 17, February 21, March 20, April 17, May 15, June 19, July 17, August 21, September 18, October 16, November 20, and December 18. Adoption of these dates was approved December 20, 2019.
May Board Meeting
The regularly scheduled May 15, 2020 park board meeting will be conducted at it's regularly scheduled date and time.
The Open Meeting Act requires public bodies to allow for public comment. As a result of COVID-19, the public may not be able to attend an open meeting because of compliance with quarantine or isolation orders or general efforts to remain at home during the pandemic. The Harrisburg Township Park District (HTPD) will accept public comment by email or written submission up to the start of the meeting at 8:00 AM on May 15, 2020. These comments will be read during the time allotted for Comments From the Public on the Agenda.
The HTPD will also have a toll-free conference call-in line available for the public to both make comments during the Comments From the Public time slot and observe the rest of the meeting. The conference call-in provider is freeconferencecall.com. The call and any participants on the call may be recorded. Please visit the website https://www.freeconferencecall.com/terms-of-service for information that may be collected and data security of freeconferencecall.com.
The toll-free conference call-in phone number is (844) 855-4444. The Access Code is 232612. Please call the park office at 618-252-2111 if you have issues with the conference call in.June 26, 2020 Special Park Board Meeting
At the May 29, 2020 Park Board Special Meeting it was decided to call another Special Board Meeting for Friday, June 26, 2020 at 8:00 AM. The sole purpose of the meeting is to assess the COVID-19 circumstances at that time and make timely decisions on the process of reopening park facilities with considerations to the Restore Illinois Plan.
The Open Meeting Act requires public bodies to allow for public comment. As a result of COVID-19, the public may not be able to attend an open meeting because of compliance with quarantine or isolation orders or general efforts to remain at home during the pandemic. The Harrisburg Township Park District (HTPD) will accept public comment by email or written submission up to the start of the meeting at 8:00 AM on June 26, 2020. These comments will be read during the time allotted for Comments From the Public on the Agenda.
The HTPD will also have a toll-free conference call-in line available for the public to both make comments during the Comments From the Public time slot and observe the rest of the meeting. The conference call-in provider is freeconferencecall.com. The call and any participants on the call may be recorded. Please visit the website https://www.freeconferencecall.com/terms-of-service for information that may be collected and data security of freeconferencecall.com.
The toll-free conference call-in phone number is (844) 855-4444. The Access Code is 232612. Please call the park office at 618-252-2111 if you have issues with the conference call in.
UPDATE 5/29/2020: The following document contains all decisions made at the May 29, 2020 Special Park Board Meeting.
