As of the close of business on March 24, all City of Russellville, Kentucky public parks, will be closed until further notice due to the increased spread and concern of the

COVID-19 virus. This decision is made consistently with mandates of our state government officials, to encourage social distancing and keep our citizens safe.

According to the CDC, this virus can spread person-to-person but it can also be spread from contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. It is known that this virus can live on surfaces for periods of time, which makes it very difficult, if not impossible, for the City of Russellville to ensure that park equipment is safe for use. For these reasons, to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of this community, the city parks will be closed and locked until further notice.

I encourage all citizens to follow the recommendations of the CDC and our state and

federal officials in order to slow the spread of this virus and protect our most vulnerable

neighbors. Despite the necessary restrictions that we have had to implement lately, it is now more important than ever for the families in our community to be active and engaged.

Thankfully spring is upon us, and my hope is that while we may not be able to use our parks for the short term, our citizens can still find ways to enjoy the outdoors and engage with each other, while still practicing social distancing and remaining safe during these trying times.