Dyersburg playgrounds closed

Special to the State Gazette

City of Dyersburg officials announced Friday afternoon the immediate closure of playgrounds, dogs parks, basketball courts, tennis courts, picnic shelters and skate parks.

In a news release, Parks and Recreation Director Andy Baker said, “The decision to close additional facilities was based off the recommendations from the CDC, the Tennessee Department of Health and out of an abundance of caution for public safety.”

“While we want to offer people safe and viable recreational options during this time, we also want to make sure we help flatten the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he continued. “Our staff monitored recreational sites and noticed areas of crowding and close contacts. We could not continue to keep these sites open when people clearly were not following the social distancing protocol set forth by the CDC.

All walking trails will remain open. However, officials urge community members to follow the CDC’s minimum recommendation social distancing of six feet from other people.