I have directed our Parks and Recreation Department to take additional actions today to reduce the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). Please see notice below.

Greg Wheeler
Mayor

City of Bremerton Responds to Coronavirus 

All parks, playgrounds, sports courts, and picnic shelters closed

**Mayor Greg Wheeler announced the following changes for the City of Bremerton effective today, Monday, March 23, 2020**

Bremerton, WA (March 23, 2020) – With heavy use and crowding in parks, Bremerton Parks and Recreation has expanded closures to include all playground equipment, parks, trails and open spaces to follow Kitsap Public Health and Washington Department of Health guidelines for social distancing.

The closure includes picnic shelters, basketball and tennis courts, and other active recreation locations where people are in close contact with one another. Pick-up games, picnics, and other large gatherings will not be permitted. The City is not able to disinfect and sanitize playground equipment in a manner that can comply with public health guidelines.

The City has also canceled all programming, rentals, leagues, activities, and permitted park events. The Sheridan Park Community Center, the Bremerton Senior Center, and all public restrooms in parks have also been closed.

“Bremerton parks are, and have been, a top attraction. At this time, the City has made the difficult decision to close parks to help reduce large gatherings and activities currently taking place on park grounds,” said Mayor Greg Wheeler. “Keeping a safe distance from one another is the primary way to help slow the spread of COVID-19. I strongly urge residents to practice social distancing and follow current health guidelines in our community.”

For questions, please contact parks and recreation staff by phone at 360-473-5305 or parks@ci.bremerton.wa.us.

 For resources and information on COVID-19, visit www.BremertonWA.gov. For up-to-date Bremerton and Kitsap County health guidance, visit kitsappublichealth.org.