City parks, golf course closed

RITZVILLE — City parks are closed until further notice and gates and playground equipment wrapped in police tape to use.

The publicly owned amenities were shuttered last week by the Parks and Recreation Department following the City Council’s resolution to authorize the mayor to take emergency actions.

“Right now, we’re operating under emergency procedures,” City Clerk-Treasurer Julie Flyckt said. “The resolution we passed gave the mayor the authorization to shut down parks.”

Resolution No. 2020-05, Ratifying Proclamation of Emergency and Providing Temporary Procedures passed March 20. The emergency proclamation it ratifies passed March 13.

The city closed the city park on Division Street (next to the swimming pool), the skate park on Columbia Avenue, and the baseball field on Low Street.

The Ritzville Municipal Golf Course has also been closed.

“Police will be monitoring the parks and will educate the public on the dangers of spreading the virus,” Flyckt said.

“It is very challenging to close large, open spaces, and we are asking all citizens to adhere to the closures,” Mayor Gary Cook said. “We understand these are frustrating times with everything being closed, but we will get through this together.”