You Asked is a regular NewmarketToday feature. We’ll do our best to get the answers to your most pressing questions about what’s going on in Newmarket. Email [email protected] and please include the words You Asked in the subject line.
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You asked:
Newmarket resident David Goldie ask when the Town of Newmarket plans to open baseball diamonds.
Here’s the answer:
A new wave of openings, including baseball diamonds, is set to roll out soon, but it’s important to note that the Town of Newmarket has stated its approach to reopening amenities for residents’ use will be done slowly and carefully with public health and safety being the most important matter.
“This is especially the case given we are not quite seeing the numbers (of COVID-19 infection rates) flatten in the province,” a spokesperson said today, noting that more details will follow soon.
Coronavirus cases in Ontario are again on the rise, with the past five of six days seeing new confirmed daily cases of more than 400. Today, May 25, marks the lowest daily number since March 31, according to Public Health Ontario.
York Region public health reported 24 new COVID-19 cases on May 25, totalling 2,281, and four more deaths, totalling 182.
Newmarket cases are ticking upward, as well, with 201 total cases as of May 25, which includes 111 active cases, 68 recoveries, and 22 deaths.
On May 22, the town began to gradually reopen some outdoor amenities that have been closed for about two months to slow the spread of the new coronavirus.
Local facilities now open include the Newmarket dog park on Bayview Parkway, five tennis courts, and the Tom Taylor Trail boardwalk for one-way traffic only, beginning at the south end of the trail near the town’s municipal office on Mulock Drive.
The remainder of the town’s tennis courts will open Friday, May 29.
Mayor John Taylor has said the town will take a cautious approach to reopening with the health and safety of the community as its number 1 priority, and based on science, data and public health guidance from York Region’s medical officer of health, Dr. Karim Kurji.
“Please remember that the success of this reopening phase is dependent on your actions,” Taylor said in a recent statement. “We need to be strong, and extra vigilant. Stay at least six feet away from people outside of your household, do not gather in groups larger than five, and continue to wash your hands frequently.”
Meanwhile, in neighbouring Aurora, recreational use of tennis and basketball courts, sports fields, baseball diamonds, skateboard parks, pickleball courts, and the dog park were all reopened on May 19, the first day it was allowed to do so as Ontario lifted some restrictions.
Organized sports or league play remains prohibited in both communities as these activities don’t allow for the practice of public health measures such as physical distancing and social gatherings of no more than five people.
Activities such as having a picnic, playing catch, frisbee and kicking a soccer ball are allowed in Newmarket’s open spaces, as long as the public health guidelines are followed.
Newmarket’s bylaw officers and education ambassadors will continue to patrol areas around town with an education-first approach.
