City Waterparks to Open Ahead of Expected Warm Weekend

Botanical Center and the Museum of Natural History to Open Following Sanitation and Social Distancing Guidelines

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Mayor Jorge O. Elorza today announced updates to the latest executive order opening waterparks across the city for Friday, June 26 with the exception of Fargnoli Park. Waterparks were originally scheduled to open next week but given anticipated warm weather this weekend, they will be opening early this Friday. The Roger Williams Park Botanical Center  and the Museum of Natural History will open on Wednesday, July 1, on a limited basis and following recommended sanitation and social distancing guidelines.

All 13 city waterparks will be open to the public from 12:00PM to 5:00 PM, Monday-Saturday with Play Attendants on site and as weather permits.* Waterparks are closed on Sundays. All bathrooms and concession stands will remain closed. User activities should be consistent with social distancing and current group size guidelines, in accordance with RIDEM Recreation Guidelines and as established below:

·         Users will be temperature tested upon arrival.

·         Each group of 15 will be allowed into the area for 45 minutes.

·         High touch water activators will be sanitized between groups.

·         Users should sanitize hands before and after play and not share equipment.

·         Users waiting to utilize a play feature should wait until previous users have vacated to ensure proper social distancing.

·         Visitors are required to wear masks if they are not actively playing in water spray areas.

* The waterpark at Fargnoli Park will remain closed at this time due to recent renovation.

Other city buildings, including Williams Park Casino, Roger Williams Park Boat House, BankNewport City Center and Providence Rink, netWORKri Career Center, Recreation Main Office, all Recreation Centers and pools and all Providence Public Schools, will continued to be closed for staff access only.

All other COVID-19 related health and safety guidelines included in the latest executive order remain in place, effective through July 31. Residents are urged to follow all current social distancing and hygiene practices.

Updates to Slow Streets across the city can be found online using this GIS map. Local resources are available as defined on the City’s website. For more information on COVID-19 and best practices you can share, residents can visit this website, call to connect to the Mayor’s Center for City Services by dialing 3-1-1, visit www.PVD311.com or download the PVD311 mobile app on your smart phone for 24/7 access.