Please be assured that the By-law and Regulatory Services Department is taking the responsibility of protecting our community during a global pandemic very seriously. Our number one focus right now is protecting everyone’s health and safety. We’re also working hard to educate residents about how the rules we’re enforcing are designed to help people to avoid catching and spreading this virus.
By-law Enforcement Officers are enforcing regulations put into place by the Provincial government under the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. The Province has required the immediate closure of communal or shared, public or private, outdoor recreational amenities including but not limited to:
- playgrounds
- sports fields
- basketball and tennis courts
- off-leash dog parks
- benches
- skateboard and BMX parks
- picnic areas
- outdoor community gardens
- park shelters
- outdoor exercise equipment
- condo parks and gardens
- other outdoor recreational amenities
More information on these closures can be found on the Province’s COVID-19 web page.
By Provincial Order, all parks and their amenities are closed. As such, playing sports in the park is also not allowed. Staying or playing in the park is not allowed because it encourages multiple users.
By-law Enforcement Officers are trained to observe situations, apply discretion, and be reasonable when enforcing regulations. Officers have been issuing warnings rather than fines when possible, and where residents are also reasonable, and comply with these Provincial Orders when requested by the Officer.
Ottawa Public Health recognizes it is important for mental and physical health to be allowed to go outside, such as for a walk, which you can do unless you are ill, or are under self-isolation under the Quarantine Act. While parks are closed, residents are able to walk through them. Safe park practices that are permitted includes running, walking or jogging through the park, while keeping a two-metre distance from. Residents can also walk their dog through the park while respecting the established leashing requirements for the site.
