City open parks

Golf course and playgrounds ready for weekend

Katie Teachout, The Journal | Last updated May 08, 2020 7:39pm0

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Grace Ramirez, 6, was on her way home to Tri-Cities with her family when they stopped to take a break at the Ritzville City Park. Ramirez's grandmother, Carolyn Grace, said there is no old-fashioned Merry Go Round like this one to be found in the Tri-Cities, so they took advantage of the opportunity to stop and play.

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Francesca Ramirez of Tri-Cities, age 4, is happy to take a ride on the Merry Go Round at Ritzville City Park with her sister, Grace Ramirez, age 6, Friday afternoon after the city opened the parks Tuesday, May 5.

RITZVILLE -- Mayor Gary Cook and city council members approved opening the city's golf course and parks earlier this week.

Public works staff had the yellow police tape removed and restrooms clean and ready to go Tuesday, May 5, in time for Governor Jay Inslee's relaxing of restrictions.

Carolyn Grace, her daughter Holly Ramirez, and her granddaughters Grace, 6 and Francesca, 4, were grateful for the opportunity to get out and stretch their legs Friday afternoon on a trip from Bonner's Ferry, Idaho, home to Tri-Cities.

"We don't have an old-fashioned merry-go-round like this one in the Tri-Cities, so the kids wanted to play on it," said Grace.

Many restrictions at the golf course and in the parks remain in place, including social distancing.

Golfers must register t-times ahead of time with the city, online.

State requirements in place include the following:

1. Gatherings are not permitted. Only members of the same household may travel and recreate together.

2. Physical distancing is required. Keep six feet between individuals outside your immediate household.

3. No seated indoor or outdoor food service in public parks is permitted.

4. Avoid crowds. Be prepared to go somewhere else or come back another time if a destination looks crowded.

5. Users should wash their hands often.

6. Pack out what you pack in. Take any garbage with you, including disposable gloves and masks.

Mayor Cook has asked Ritzville Police to keep an eye out to make sure golfers and park visitors are following state requirements.

See the Ritzville Adams County Journal Wednesday, May 13, for the rest of the story.

Author Bio

Katie Teachout, Editor

Katie Teachout is the editor of The Ritzville Adams County Journal. Previously, she worked as a reporter at The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle, the Oroville Gazette-Tribune, Northern Kittitas County Tribune and the Methow Valley News. She is a graduate of Western Washington University.