Montclair Closes Parks, Recreation Areas and Facilities

As Montclair Township officials continue to monitor the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), we find it necessary to take additional action to reduce public health risks to our community.
Given that the essential need for social distancing is not being followed in our parks and other recreational facilities, the township is putting in place the following restrictions to ensure the health and safety of our residents.

Effective today, March 15:
all Township parks and playgrounds are closed through March 31;
all Township fields, whether artificial turf or grass, are closed through March 31;
all Township sports and recreation courts and facilities, including but not limited to basketball courts, tennis courts, skateboard parks and walking paths are closed through March 31;
all school and Board of Education sports and recreation facilities including but not limited to basketball courts, tennis courts, skateboard parks, fields, walking paths, and playgrounds are closed through March 31.
All of the above recreation and sports areas and facilities will be monitored by the Montclair Police Department.

We cannot more strongly emphasize the need for following social distancing practices in the interest of protecting our community.

“First, I want to commend our Township staff for its tireless efforts to protect the health and safety of our Township,” said Montclair Mayor Robert Jackson. “I also want to thank our residents who have largely embraced the behavioral guidelines of our national, state, county, and local health authorities.

“Yet, as we struggle with this pandemic, very difficult, life-altering decisions have to be made for two reasons: to restrict behavior that will increase spread and to heighten awareness of the risk severity and, therefore, increase self-policing.

After careful consideration, I agree with our Office of Emergency Management and Department of Health that these actions are necessary at this time. We will continue to monitor developments and will adjust our actions accordingly,” said Mayor Jackson.

We greatly urge everyone to follow all guidelines provided by our federal and state agencies:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
World Health Organization (WHO)
NJ Department of Health (NJDOH)

If you have general questions about COVID-19 please call the NJ Department of health NJ COVID-19 & Poison Center Public Hotline at 1-800-222-1222 or 1-800-962-1253 if using an out-of-state phone line. Trained professionals are standing by to answer your call 24/7 or visit nj.gov/health.

NOTE: The hotline is not to locate testing, to get test results, or for medical advice.