The Chicago Park District announced plans Tuesday to gradually reopen the city’s lakefront, playgrounds and indoor swimming pools.
The Park District will begin opening public access points to parkland east of Lake Shore Drive as snow removal and clean up from recent storms allow.
The Park District said it is preparing more than 500 outdoor playgrounds and nature play spaces to reopen during the upcoming weeks. Indoor swimming pools will offer limited aquatics programming during its spring season.
“We are thrilled that lakefront, playgrounds and indoor aquatics programs can safely reopen,” Park District Supt. Michael Kelly said in a news release. “The district is busy preparing these facilities to open as soon as possible. Although these restrictions are being lifted, we must continue to be diligent with the safety protocols that have been instrumental in our progress.”
State health officials on Monday reported the number of new COVID-19 cases and tests dropped to levels that haven’t been seen since last summer.
Officials announced 1,246 new and probable cases of COVID-19, marking the smallest daily caseload reported since 1,076 cases were reported on July 28. The number of tests also dropped to 37,361, the lowest figure recorded since 35,930 new tests were announced on Sept. 14, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. Officials also announced 34 virus-related deaths.
The statewide seven-day positivity rate remained below 3% for an eighth straight day.
