With summer officially in full swing, Alexandria City Public Schools is working to reopen its playgrounds to the public.
On Monday, the playgrounds at Patrick Henry Elementary School, Samuel W. Tucker Elementary School and Jefferson Houston School reopened, according to an email that was sent to parents.
“All other playgrounds will remain closed for the time being to complete necessary repairs to ensure the safety of playground visitors,” Helen Lloyd, ACPS director of communications, wrote to parents. “Repairs are anticipated to begin early next week and affected playgrounds will reopen once deemed safe to do so.”
One parent who spoke anonymously was miffed that the playground at Mount Vernon Community School was closed.
“Closed for maintenance?” the parent said. “Seriously? Couldn’t that have been done while everything was closed?”
Playgrounds will be considered open only if and when their gates are unlocked and signs are erected telling folks that restrictions have been lifted.
Lloyd told ALXnow that the coronavirus has slowed down operations, and that as playgrounds are being cleaned and renovated, there is no timeline which playgrounds will open and when.
“We understand families really want to be on the playgrounds,” Lloyd said. “We’re working as quickly as possible to make that happen.”
Courtesy photo
