Date of release: May 20, 2020
After several weeks of various closures as the local community implemented the State’s directives regarding social distancing to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), our economy now is beginning to reopen with retail today and restaurants opening to dine-in service in limited capacity on Friday, May 22. The City of Paducah also is planning to reopen several parks amenities on Friday and assist local restaurants in the Market Square area of downtown Paducah by allowing an expansion of their outdoor seating capacity.
Mayor Brandi Harless said, “It’s been a tough few months. I am thankful we are starting to see the reopening of retail and restaurants. We can both reduce the spread of COVID19 and open our economy if we are all thoughtful and stay within public health guidelines. The City wants to help our local businesses as much as we can during this time. It’s time to work towards recovering, both for our health and our economy. I look forward to sharing more of these reopening announcements and positive local economic signs.”
City Manager Jim Arndt said, “We have had numerous internal discussions about social distancing and our reentry into this new way of interacting with each other. I’m thrilled to be able to announce these reopening procedures just in time for the Memorial Day weekend. They are steps in the right direction of rebuilding our economy and our in-person social lives. However, social distancing is still in place. Please respect each other, use social distancing etiquette, and be kind to our police officers and park rangers as they work to keep everyone safe.”
Market Square: Beginning Friday, May 22 at 3 p.m., the east and west sides of Market Square will be closed to vehicular traffic until Monday, May 25 at 8 a.m. to allow the various restaurants to expand their outdoor dining while adhering to social distancing guidelines. The City of Paducah has provided approximately 25 picnic tables designated to specific restaurants that will be placed along the public parking areas for expanded seating. These weekend closures will occur until further notice. Additional options are being developed to further expand outdoor dining.
Parks Amenities: On Friday, May 22 the following parks amenities will reopen to the public but with reduced hours and specific guidelines. All of the normal rules at these facilities still apply in addition to the following guidelines.
- Stuart Nelson Dog Park – Hours of operation are daily, 8 until 11:30 a.m. and 4 until 7:30 p.m.
- Dog owners must wear masks.
- Maintain social distancing.
- One person at a time should enter or exit the gates.
- Limited to no more than 10 people at one time inside each dog park.
- If people are waiting, limit your time in the park to one hour or less.
- Skatepark at Noble Park - Hours of operation are daily, 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.
- Limited to 10 participants or fewer at a time.
- Maintain social distancing.
- One person at a time should enter or exit the gate.
- No spectators inside skatepark fencing.
- Masks are recommended for spectators.
- If people are waiting, limit your time in the skatepark to one hour or less.
- Noble Park Tennis Courts – Hours of operation are daily, 7 until 10:30 a.m. and 4:30 until 7:30 p.m.
- Courts 1, 3, 5, 6, and 7 are open for singles play only.
- Courts 2 and 4 are closed.
- No spectators inside court fencing.
- Maintain social distancing on court and in spectator areas.
- Masks are recommended for spectators.
- If people are waiting, limit your time on a court to one hour or less.
The Parks & Recreation Department has returned a picnic table to each pavilion in the parks. Please enjoy the outdoors and the Memorial Day weekend while social distancing in groups of no more than 10 people. Restrooms in Noble Park will have expanded hours but will close at sunset. The City’s parks will continue to close daily at sunset. Please note that Independence Park will remain closed until further notice. The public restrooms downtown on Jefferson Street will be open until 9 p.m.
Regarding Paducah City Hall located at 300 South 5th Street, the facility will remain closed to the public until additional safety measures are in place. Crews have been installing clear, acrylic shielding in the Customer Experience area in addition to the Fire Prevention Division, Finance Department, and Commission Chambers. Please continue to use the drop-box located next to the front door on the 5th Street side to drop off payments and correspondence. The general information phone number for City government is 270-444-8800. Also, check the city’s website for various email addresses and departmental phone numbers.
Information about changes to city services, links to resources, and other information related to COVID-19 can be found on the City’s website, https://paducahky.gov/news/covid-19-resources-and-information.
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