City closes parks, playgrounds amid tightening COVID-19 restrictions

The City of Ottawa is closing all municipal parks, including off-leash dog parks, amid tightening restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19.

The closure involves "all city park facilities and park equipment," which includesplaygrounds. According to the city, "walkthroughs" are still permitted, but any group or team activity in city parks is banned.

The National Capital Commission (NCC) also announced Friday it'sshutting down parking lots at its trails and dog parks in Ottawa's Greenbelt, starting 9 p.m. Friday.

"We recognize that this decision will affect residents' enjoyment of the Greenbelt, but we must make every effort to protect employees, contractors and trail users from COVID-19 and ensure compliance with public health directives from all levels of government, particularly the call to avoid all non-essential trips," the NCC said in a news release.

This includes popular trails at Mer Bleueand Pinhey Forest, as well as off-leash dog parks.People who can walk or bike to the trails will still be able to use them.

At the same time, the NCC said it's working to clear its network of multi-use pathways of snow and ice so people can get out and use them. For now, the NCCsaid it's not planning to close the Sir John. A Macdonald orSir George-tienne Cartier parkways to traffic, as some have suggested.

Health officials are discouraging or banning gatherings to stop the spread of the respiratory illness, and areasking people to stay at home as much as possible.

The NCC closed Gatineau Park on Monday, and Ottawa and Gatineauhavebanned certain uses of city parks.