Some of Watertown’s recreational facilities will open for public use Wednesday, June 3, as part of the State’s COVID-19 reopening plan. However, there will be some rules and restrictions.
Some of the rules include mandatory wearing of face masks, keeping at least 6 feet part and the facilities are only open to Watertown residents. Failure to follow the rules may result in the closing of facilities to all users.
The following information was provided by the Watertown Recreation Department:
Rules for the Victory Field Track:
- Only Residents May use the Track and Field during Phase I
Face coverings must be worn at all times. Social distancing of 6 feet or more is required Running, jogging and walking are the only activities permitted on the track. Traffic on track will go in the counter clockwise direction. - No more than 20 people on the track at one time. The exterior lane is for walkers or slower runners and the interior lane is for faster runners.
- When passing, pass on the left and space yourself to allow one lane between you and the runner you are passing.
- Do not stop abruptly on the track. All regular track and field posted guidelines are also in effect.
- Those waiting to use the track should remain off the track in the parking lot while practicing social distancing.
- Violations of any of the above rules and regulations and appropriate code of conduct will result in rescission of track use privileges and may result in closure of the track for all users.
Rules for Watertown’s Athletic Fields & Parks:
- Only Residents May use the Athletic Fields and Parks during Phase I
- Face coverings must be worn at all times.
- Social distancing of 6 feet or more is required
- Fields can be used for passive recreation from sunrise to sunset by residents of Watertown.
- Passive recreation is identified as walking, jogging, running, bike riding on pathways, individual yoga and tai chi.
- Gatherings should be limited to people within the same household and should not exceed 10 people at a time and must remain at least 6 feet away from other park users.
- No organized sports, no contact sports, and no activities that have shared equipment (i.e. football, soccer, baseball, lacrosse, field hockey, basketball) unless the participants are from the same family / household and abide by the other guidelines of behavior.
- Dogs are not allowed in the parks at any time other than the dog parks.
- Violations of any of the above rules and regulations and appropriate code of conduct will result in rescission of parks and field use privileges and may result in closure of the parks and fields for all users.
The following recreational amenities will remain CLOSED and will be considered for opening when the State of Massachusetts enters Phase II of reopening plan.
- Basketball Courts
- Dog Parks
- Picnic Table and Areas
- Playgrounds / Tot Lots
- Multi-Purpose Court
- Tennis Courts
- Skate Board Park
- Victory Turf Athletic Field.
Hello, in the past, a few residents did not follow rules and brought their dogs to Victory field, they will leave them loose for 10 minutes or so for the dogs to run around the middle field. Same problem is the Ridgelawn Cemetery. There are ( NO DOGS) signs all entrances but there are those who don’t care, ignore it, and walk their dogs. Dog poops all over. This issue needs to be addressed, and as I said, this is serious, we are in COVID19 Times.. As social distancing is addressed, NO DOGS IN THE PARKS OR CEMETERY should be STRONGLY addressed. Fines should be given to people who don’t follow the law.
I have never personally seen any dog poop in Ridgelawn, but it wouldn’t surprise me either I do see it all over sidewalk front grass. What I do see everywhere in Ridgelawn is goose poop…could this be what you are seeing?