The City sent the following note to residents on the evening of Friday, May 1 (excerpted below):
Parks:
Beginning Tuesday, May 5th, the City of Piedmont will open the majority of its parks, to allow for socially distanced use of playfields, green spaces, and walking paths. The City will use Monday to perform necessary maintenance tasks which cannot be undertaken until the new order comes in to force. The openings will be staggered, to ensure that maintenance needs which were deferred due to the previous orders are taken care of before parks are opened.
- Social distancing requirements remain in place and no gatherings will be allowed.
- Pursuant to the order, playgrounds, tot lots, picnic areas, barbecue areas, and Linda Dog Park will remain closed until further notice.
- Park restrooms and water fountains will remain closed until further notice.
- Residents should use the parks with members of their own households and not mix or mingle with other households.
The City will be monitoring compliance with the social distancing requirements as well as restrictions on gatherings. Should residents not comply with these basic health protections, which are mandatory under the order, the City will have no choice but to close these spaces again. We hope that you will enjoy parks safely and in a manner that protects your own health and that of your neighbors.
Group sports, such as baseball, basketball, football, pickleball, and tennis, among others are permitted under the county order only with members of the same household or living unit. Tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts as well as the skate park will open when we have established appropriate protocols for these spaces.
Off Leash Areas:
The updated order requires dog parks to be closed. Piedmont’s only dog park, located in Linda Park, will remain closed. Because the three other off leash areas in Piedmont (Blair Park, portions of Dracena Park, and portions of Piedmont Park) are located within general use parks, which residents will have access to, the City instituted a temporary requirement that dogs be on leash in these areas. Without this requirement, to comply with the order, the City would have to keep these areas closed. Signage will be posted.
Construction:
The revised order allows work on construction projects to resume on Monday, May 4th. As most Piedmonters are working from their homes, the Planning & Building Department is asking contractors and property owners to be considerate of their neighbors when doing work which creates noise. Construction noise is permitted in Piedmont from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday and 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. We suggest you reach out to your neighbors when resuming work and to keep an open channel of communication with them.
All construction projects must comply with Appendix B of the Alameda County Health Officer’s order regarding construction safety. Visit the Planning & Building webpage for more information.
Landscaping: The revised order removes the restrictions on landscaping work. Effective Monday, May 4th, landscapers are allowed to resume work in Piedmont but they must strictly comply with social distancing requirements. Landscaping work on City parks and property will resume on Monday. Piedmont’s prohibition on the use of gas leaf blowers at any time remains in effect.
Childcare and Recreation Programs:
The Alameda County Health Officer’s order allows for some child care and other recreation programs for children of essential workers to resume. At this time, the Piedmont Recreation Department is examining whether it is feasible to begin programming, in compliance with the order’s restrictions. More information will be provided when it becomes available.
Background
The Alameda County Health Officer issued a revised and extended shelter in place order which takes effect on Monday, May 4th and lasts until Sunday, May 31st. The intent of this updated order remains the same: “To ensure that County residents continue to shelter in their places of residence to slow the spread of COVID-19 and mitigate the impact on delivery of critical healthcare services.” The provisions of the order are largely the same as the previous orders, with some exceptions. The City of Piedmont’s actions are based upon the intent and the letter of the order.
The Alameda County Health Officer’s order regarding use of face coverings outside the home remains in place and residents are encouraged to follow its requirements. The City recommends that community members carry masks with them at all times when outside the home and put them on when social distancing is not possible.
Read more on the City’s webpage: Shelter in Place FAQs for Piedmonters