Sheriff Discusses Usage Of County Parks

HWY 70 Park in Brownsville.

Parks Still Open To Public, But With Limited Use

Darren Doyle, story and photo:
While Edmonson County Parks have not completely closed yet as a result of COVID-19, Judge Executive Wil Cannon has ordered access to basketball courts and other areas to be closed. The announcement came at Monday's Edmonson County fiscal court meeting. Cannon said the measure was to prevent larger gatherings of people in a close proximity. He said local parks are large enough that they can still be partially used while avoiding larger crowds.

In an interview with Sheriff Shane Doyle regarding the enforcement of this change, he said there is one major point that folks need to remember when it comes to park usage.

"If it's a contact sport, or an activity that groups people together in one spot, stay clear of it," he said. "Obviously with basketball, you've got a group of people close together, making contact with each other. This is the very thing we're trying to avoid."

Doyle said county officials have also announced that playground equipment is off limits during this time of social distancing.

Park usage still available and considered safe during this time:

• Walking
• Jogging
• Baseball/softball fields less than 10 persons present, spread out)
• Disc Golf
• Soccer fields (less than 10 persons present, spread out)
• Horseshoe Pits (must keep open lane between)

​Park usage prohibited during this time:

• Playground equipment/areas
• Picnic shelters
• Basketball courts
• Tennis courts
• Volleyball courts
• Meeting rooms
  

Currently, there is no curfew at any of the county parks, according to the Sheriff.

As of official reports on Thursday, March 26th, there have been no official confirmed cases in Edmonson County, according the Barren River Area Health Department, which includes Edmonson, Barren, Butler, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Simpson, and Warren Counties.