City to close Children's Park Playscape every Thursday for deep cleanings

The City of San Marcos’ Parks and Recreation Department will close the Children’s Park Playscape for a deep cleaning every Thursday beginning Oct. 22. 

The playscape will be closed from 7 a.m.- 5 p.m. but the park will remain open to bicycle and pedestrian activity. Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation Jamie Lee Case said the deep cleaning is taking place due to the popularity and increased use of the playscape. 

“We don’t have the staff required to regularly disinfect all 15 playscapes across our community, so it’s important that park goers remain diligent in following CDC guidelines, local and state mandated regulations, and work together to continue to stop the spread of COVID-19,” Case said in a statement. 

The city stated that signage remains posted at all city facilities and parks requesting visitors to follow CDC guidelines, which includes wearing a mask and practicing social distancing. The city also asks anyone who is experiencing COVID-19-related symptoms to remain at home. 

San Marcos’ parks continue to operate on adjusted hours of 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and guests are encouraged to “participate in active recreational activities such as swimming, kayaking, canoeing, walking, running and general exercise,” the city said.

The city added that temporary fencing will remain in its parks to limit access to amenities such as picnic tables and pavilions. Park rules are available at http://sanmarcostx.gov/parkrules.

The restrooms in City Park, Children’s Park and William & Eleanor Crook Park will be open until 8 p.m. daily and will continue to be cleaned twice daily, the city said. 

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the city stated that it will continue to follow Hays County and Texas Department of State Health Services case tracking data and hospitalizations to assess the local health situation.