Coquitlam's Park Hosts are ramping up their monitoring of City parks and trails to ensure physical distancing rules are followed on the long weekend.
COQUITLAM, B.C., Apr. 8, 2020 – Coquitlam’s Park Hosts are ramping up their monitoring of City parks and trails to ensure physical distancing rules are followed on the long weekend.
The City expanded its Park Hosts efforts last Saturday to ensure residents are keeping their distance from each other to prevent the spread of COVID-19 when they get outside for some fresh air and exercise – which continues to be recommended by Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry.
Wearing vests and high-visibility shirts, team members remind trail users and park visitors to stay two metres away from anyone not from their household.
The City is assigning extra Park Hosts, extending their hours and introducing single-file traffic at busy times at the Crunch to address the anticipated increase in demand over the long weekend.
Keeping Parks and Trails Safe
Park Hosts are stationed daily at Como Lake Park, the Crunch and the Lafarge Lake Loop, where one-way traffic is in place to more easily separate people from each other. Two roving Park Hosts teams are covering other busy parks such as Blue Mountain, Cottonwood, Mackin, Panorama, Galloway and Riley, and staff are also monitoring the trails in Mundy Park and Coquitlam River Park.
The teams – made up of staff from Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services – usually work from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, but schedules will shift based on demand and weather.
To address extra long weekend use, for example, over 20 Park Hosts will be stationed at popular parks and trails from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day to monitor and educate visitors, as well as clean up litter as needed.
The enhanced monitoring starts today at the Crunch, with users instructed to walk in single-file and to not pass during busy times. Park Hosts will also be equipped with megaphones – similar to beach lifeguards – to help get the message out to people a distance away.
Signs reinforcing public health requirements – such as physical distancing and staying home when sick – have also been posted at popular locations. New signs at the Crunch advise: “Don’t Bunch on the Crunch.”
To date, the public has been receptive to the City’s efforts to promote physical distancing and keep the parks open, with many taking the time to thank staff for their work. The Park Hosts will be in place for the duration of the public health crisis.
Be Informed
For up-to-date information regarding the COVID-19 impacts to City facilities, programs, services and events:
Coquitlam residents are encouraged to follow the City of Coquitlam on social media (Facebook and Twitter) and download the CoquitlamConnect mobile app for up-to-date City information.
For more information on COVID-19, including updates, answers to frequently asked questions, and translated information, please consult the following resources:
Media contact
Kathleen Vincent
Public Information Officer
Emergency Operations Centre
City of Coquitlam
604-218-1319
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