Karen Gleason
Hogan Park, along with all of the city’s other sports fields, are now open, Del Rio City Council members confirmed Tuesday.
At the start of the discussion regarding park restrictions, Councilwoman Alexandra Falcon Calderon said she had received questions from constituents about the city’s current COVID park restrictions, which she said had not been examined since December.
Calderon said she also believed the city needs to do a better job publicizing the city’s COVID restrictions, noting lack of information contributes to citizens’ confusion about the issue.
Councilman Jim DeReus agreed there was confusion about the COVID restrictions for city parks.
“In September we did the park openings, but in October, we specifically removed the restrictions on a bunch of parks, Hogan included. I thought Hogan was open, but apparently city staff thought it wasn’t, so if there’s that level of confusion between the staff and the council, then we can count on the people being confused,” DeReus said.
He then made a motion that the city go to Phase 1, which opens city parks and recreational facilities with no restrictions.
“We know most of the COVID cases are coming from multiple households gathering together in an enclosed space, with no masks and no social distancing. . .The likelihood of someone picking it up from touching a slide or a swing set is very, very low. I understand there is a risk, but you cannot eliminate all risk. At some point you have to go, ‘Is reasonable or is this not’,” DeReus said.
DeReus’ motion did not receive a second.
Mayor Pro-tem Alfredo “Fred” Carranza Jr. said he, too, had received calls about whether or not Hogan Park was open.
City Manager Matt Wojnowski said it was his understanding Hogan Park was closed.
Carranza then made a motion that the city clarify that Hogan Park is open.
He did say, however, he wasn’t ready to reopen parks for outdoor barbecuing or alcohol consumption.
Mayor Bruno “Ralphy” Lozano asked if Carranza would consider reopening all of the city’s ball fields.
“I think we need to open the baseball fields, the softball fields and include the tennis courts,” Carranza said.
Lozano suggested the motion specify that only city picnic pavilions and barbecue grills remain closed. He also asked that alcohol consumption continue to be prohibited.
Carranza offered to withdraw his motion and proceed with the mayor’s motion.
The council unanimously approved the motion to leave off-limits only picnic pavilions and barbecue grills and continue prohibiting alcohol consumption in city parks.
