(The following is a message from the Redwood City Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department)

To our Community,

The entire Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Team would like to express how our hearts and thoughts are with each of you as the situation with coronavirus (COVID-19) escalates. We are diligently working to slow the spread of the virus in our community by following the continued guidance of all county and state officials as this fast-moving pandemic unfolds worldwide. We are doing our best to make the necessary changes to our operations, while being conscious of our community needs as it affects our most vulnerable.

While we have already cancelled and postponed a number of classes, programs, events, rentals, services, and more, we are expanding by closing a number of our facilities beginning Monday, March 16 through March 31. We will continually reassess the extension of closures and provide updated information. Our primary focus will be supporting essential services through senior food distributions, safety net services, homeless support services, and human service information and referral services.

We understand that these closures and cancellations create a hardship, and we thank you for your understanding through this unprecedented time.

Classes & Programs

• All After School Programs, Child Care, Youth/Teen Centers, and Preschool Programs are cancelled through Sunday, April 12, 2020. We are following the guidelines in the School Operations Modification Order put forth by San Mateo County Health Officer Dr. Scott Morrow that will take effect on Monday, March 16, 2020, and remain in force through Friday, April 3, 2020. Read the press release here. 
• All After School Youth Sports Programs as well as Leagues (AYSO, Juventus, Little League, Girls Softball, and others) have either cancelled or postponed their seasons until further notice.
• All classes with the exception of some of our offsite providers have been cancelled. Please check with businesses individually to find out if your class has been cancelled.
• All participants will be refunded in full or partially, depending on the cancellation date. Please be patient with our team as we identify these transactions, but rest assured, you will be compensated for the loss.

Online registration is open 24/7 for Summer Camps as well as classes that begin after April 12. Classes from April 12 to May 31 will be assessed as information changes.

For an up-to-date list of all open and closed facilities, programs, and more,
click here.

Facilities

Effective Monday, March 16, 2020 through March 31, 2020 several City facilities will be closed.

Newly added closures include:

• Community Activities Building
• Red Morton Community Center
• Sandpiper Community Center
• The Armory 

Modified:
The Veterans Memorial Senior Center will be open only for senior lunch pick-up, Monday through Friday from 11:00am to 1:00pm

Open:
The Fair Oaks Community Center will remain open for providing essential human services, including food distribution, homeless support services, safety net information and referral services, etc. All non-essential classes and programs are cancelled/postponed.

Facility Rentals & Reservations:
All Facility Reservations from March 16-March 31 will now be cancelled and refunds will be issued for any paid reservations. No new meeting room, community center rooms, or picnic reservations will be taken for dates between now and May 31. You may continue to make reservations beyond June 1. Our Facility Team will work with renters on rescheduling or refunding fees.

For an up-to-date list of all open and closed facilities, programs, and more,
click here.

Parks & Playgrounds

All City parks and playgrounds will remain open at this time. City’s Parks staff will be implementing enhanced cleaning at playgrounds and in park restrooms. Please do not enter or play on playgrounds if you have a cough, are sneezing, or have a fever. Wash hands before and after touching surfaces. Avoid touching your face until you have properly washed your hands. Practice social distancing from other park visitors. Please check back to the City’s website for any up-to-date information.

Reliable Resources

The County of San Mateo opened a call center for residents with non-medical questions about coronavirus. The number is 2-1-1 and is open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Use of a three-way language line to help non-English speakers is available.

• For more information, visit the City’s Coronavirus page www.redwoodcity.org/coronavirus 
• San Mateo County Health https://www.smchealth.org/coronavirus
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov

Questions? Email us: . Please allow us extra time to respond as our email volume is unusually high.

Thank you for helping us to promote good health and hygiene. We serve people of all ages and levels of vulnerability. We hope that with your help, we can continue to foster a positive and safe environment for our community to live, work, and play, even during this stressful time of uncertainty.

In good health,

Redwood City Parks, Recreation and Community Services