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Iron Mountain to partially reopen parks

IRON MOUNTAIN — Coronavirus restrictions are being eased at Iron Mountain’s parks, but some areas will remain off limits, the city council decided during a special meeting Tuesday.

On April 6, the council issued an order closing all public gathering and recreation areas, allowing only walking and bicycling through City Park.

Under the new action, athletic fields and sports courts will be reopened, with gatherings limited to the maximum allowed in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home order — currently 10 or less.

Playgrounds, however, remain closed, as do pavilions and bathrooms.

The change allows activities such as baseball practices, tennis, pickleball and bocce, provided the gathering limit is adhered to, City Manager Jordan Stanchina said. The city’s dog park will also be accessible.

In all cases, social distancing should be observed, Stanchina said.

During a half-hour discussion via teleconference, the council considered a broader reopening but decided adjustments could still be made during the next meeting June 1.

Stanchina advised going slow on reopening playgrounds because the equipment can’t be sanitized and it’s difficult to predict behavior.

Mayor Dale Alessandrini said the risk is unknown, as many people have generally become less cautious.

“When you give people free range, they’re going to screw up,” he said. “You might see a boost (in infections), you never know,” he said.

After council member Bill Revord encouraged having bathrooms open, it was decided to have portable toilets placed at recreation sites as an alternative. This helps reduce the city’s liability while still accommodating the public, Stanchina said.

Council member Ken Clawson suggested an “all or nothing” approach to reopening parks. But he later joined the rest of the council in approving the limited measure.

Council member Nathan Zemar said the issue could be “put in the hands of the citizens” to gauge their own risks, but he also voted in favor.

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