On Friday First Selectman Fred Camillo announced that after an intensive review of operations with Parks & Rec Director Joe Siciliano, there will be a conditional reopening of the town-owned Griffith E. Harris Golf Course aka “The Griff,” beginning Monday, May 4 from 8:00am to 6:00pm daily.
Camillo said there will be restrictions. “There’s not going to be four in a golf cart,” he said.
Tee time reservations will only be available online. No walk-ups will be allowed.
The online reservation system will be available beginning April 30.
Only credit/debit card payments will be accepted. Golf cart rentals and the driving range will also be available.
It is mandatory that all persons arriving at the golf course wear a face mask at all times.
Detailed operating regulations will be posted on the golf course website by noon Tuesday, April 28.
Camillo said the town is responding to complaints of people congregating in town parks.
During his Friday morning call-in radio show on WGCH, a resident told the First Selectman that groups were congregating daily at North Mianus School between 2:00pm and 5:00pm.
Camillo said he immediately texted the Police Chief Heavey about the complaint.
“Chief beat me to it,” Camillo said. “He texted back, ‘Got it!’ I’m sure Greenwich Police visited North Mianus School, and it’s something we’ll be monitoring.”
The beach at Byram Park will remain closed. Camillo said new signage detailing restrictions on use of that park are in the works.
Also, as announced this week, Cos Cob Park will open to walkers from beginning May 4 during 7:30am to 2:00pm on weekdays.
In other loosening of park restrictions, Camillo announced Thursday that effective Monday, April 27, Binney, Bruce and Byram Parks walking paths will be open, though fields, playgrounds, parking lots and restrooms will remain closed.
Marinas will be open two days per week starting April 30.
There will be limited access – two days per week – to the marinas for boat owners whose vessels are in winter storage. Individual boat owners will be emailed details regarding hours of access.
Camillo said park monitors will be stationed at Cos Cob Park to stagger access and to ensure that walkers abide by social distancing. The playing field, playgrounds and restrooms will remain closed. Visitors are asked to park at the Cos Cob train station.
Camillo said planning Cos Cob Park’s reopening had presented a dilemma.
“If you have (walkers) going in opposite directions, you’ll have people crossing each other in close proximity,” he said. “So we’ll have signs and arrows at Cos Cob Park.”
As for ‘The 3 B’s,’ Camillo said social distancing will be tricky in those parks because people all enter the park from different access points.
“We’ll have to split it up a little and have signs and arrows reminding people to keep their distance,” he said.
As for the Memorial Day Parade in Old Greenwich, Camillo said, “it doesn’t look good.”
“We won’t go public until we have proper details to share,” he said, adding, “The Sound Beach volunteers would like to still have some type of ceremony, possibly ‘a day of purpose.’ We’ll go over ways to do that even if there is no parade.”
Camillo also shared updated COVID-19 numbers on Friday as follows:
As of Friday, 613 Greenwich residents have tested positive, per the Greenwich Health Dept. That is 5 more than the 608 cases reported the previous day.
Greenwich Hospital reports that as of Friday, 84 COVID-19 positive patients were being treated at Greenwich Hospital, and 317 patients have been discharged to recuperate at home.
Also, 4,273 people have been tested at the Hospital outpatient test site, with 1,542 testing positive.
All of these numbers reflect patients who live in Greenwich and other municipalities in Connecticut and Westchester County.
As of Thursday, 27 Greenwich residents have died from COVID-19. That number comes from the Connecticut Department of Public Health.
“Any loss of life is truly regrettable and my heartfelt condolences go out to each of the families of our 27 residents who have died from this disease,” Mr. Camillo said. “This loss of life illustrates just how vulnerable we all are and how important it is to continue with social distancing, wearing face masks, gloves and to frequently wash our hands.”