Park District Reopens Tennis Courts, Other Recreational Spots

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — Tennis, pickleball and disc golf participants received some good news Wednesday from the Buffalo Grove Park District. All tennis and pickelball courts, as well as two disc golf courses, have reopened.

"These decisions to close outdoor facilities are not made lightly. With that, once the decision to close something is made, we are continuously looking at many variables, and reevaluating things daily," Mike Terson, superintendent of communications and marketing, told Patch. "Some of those variables include recommendations being made by local, state and federal authorities, as well as the Illinois Association of Park Districts; and, we also keep tabs on what other park districts in the area are doing."

Terson said the decision to start talking about reopening again coincided with Governor J.B. Pritzker's decision to allow golf courses to reopen May 1 during the current coronavirus pandemic.

"When we saw that a considerable number of districts in the region were opening up their courts and courses, we decided that it was reasonable for us to do the same," Terson said. "With all of these things associated with the pandemic happening and changing so quickly, our first thought always is what can we safely do — not what can we restrict people from doing."

According to the district, additional rules have been posted at the entrances to the tennis and pickleball courts that specify that everyone waiting for a court must maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet apart, and must wait outside of the fence until a court becomes available. Additionally, anyone playing doubles must wear a mask at all times.

As disc golf courses are not enclosed, fenced-in areas, no additional restrictions have been implemented, other than that social distancing must be maintained.

Other Park District facilities that remain closed include all playgrounds, basketball and volleyball courts, the skate park, inline rink, and the Happy Tails Dog Park.

For more information, and updates on when other facilities reopen, visit the Park District website at bgparks.org.