Parking lots reopened at most Roswell parks on Friday, but a few popular parks like Old Mill Park and other greenspaces remain completely closed until further notice. Mayor Lori Henry has extended Roswell’s state of emergency to June 12.
The mayor and other metro Atlanta officials are taking measured steps in reopening public places due to the coronavirus pandemic. A statewide shelter-in-place order expires May 13 for those at highest risk to suffer complications from the virus.
Henry reopened the parks for passive use Friday by executive order. Athletic facilities including all indoor and outdoor gym equipment, fields and playgrounds will remain closed.
Parks that continue to be closed are Old Mill Park at Vickery Creek, which is a major draw; the Heart of Roswell Park; Barrington Hall and Bulloch Hall, as well as their grounds. These attractions stayed open when Roswell first issued a state of emergency in March, but the city later closed all access to them saying visitors didn’t maintain adequate social distancing.
“I know we are all looking forward to reopening our city and getting our lives back to normal,” Henry said in a statement. “But we will be taking a very measured approach in reopening Roswell. We will do this keeping in mind the health, safety and welfare of our citizens by following [Center for Disease, Control and Prevention] and Georgia Health Department guidelines.”
