PITTSBURGH — If you’re looking for an outdoor activity this weekend, the Allegheny County Parks Department just opened the ice rinks at North Park and South Park for the season.
Until mid-March, the rinks will be open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, but with COVID-19 restrictions in place. For instance, masks are required, concessions won’t be offered, and only 100 skaters will be permitted per session.
Channel 11 spoke with excited skaters at North Park shortly after the rink opened.
“Everybody’s social distancing and yeah it’s very safe,” said skater Justin Shaffer, there with his family.
“Once I heard they were opening I was really glad, I mean, it is outdoors and with a mask, hopefully everything is good,” said skater Ann Brehm.
The move, however, comes just a couple of days after the county’s health director urged people to “stay home whenever possible.” Channel 11 reached out to a county spokesperson about the choice to open the rinks.
We received the following statement:
“Throughout this pandemic, the Health Department has continued to encourage people to go outside and be active for their own mental and physical health. The ice rinks being open provides another outlet for that. The Parks Department has followed all of the guidance set forth by the CDC, state and county health departments in setting forth the protocols. Additionally, they’ve greatly reduced capacity to promote distancing. The staff will be enforcing the requirements there and anyone not following the guidance will be asked to leave.”
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