The City of Winnipeg is putting new regulations into place for its public parks starting tomorrow.

In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the City of Winnipeg is asking residents to follow new by-laws.

The city is  temporarily prohibiting access to several public spaces including:

  • skateboard sites
  • play structures
  • outdoor BBQs
  • sports fields including baseball diamonds and athletic courts

This means that residents will not be allowed to access these spaces until further notice.

Winnipegers are still permitted to take walks in parks but are asked to follow physical distancing. Physical distancing restrictions do not apply if residents live in the same home.

City workers will be enforcing two-meter distancing in public.

A new program, called Community Service Ambassadors, will be used to enforce distancing. Starting on Saturday, the workers will be speaking to residents in parks who are not following guidelines.

Community Service Ambassadors will consist of City workers who are currently out of work due to the closure of city services such as libraries and pools.

“This is an opportunity to speak with residents who might not be getting the message regarding usage of our public spaces and the recommendations on physical distancing,” Mayor Bowman says.

The city says these ambassadors will not be distributing fines, however, they say if the ambassadors feel it is necessary they will contact By-Law Enforcement Officers who can issue warnings and appearance notices.

The appearance notices could result in fines up to $1000 and up to six months of jail time.

“The goal of this program is to enhance efforts to get factual information into the hands of the public. Ideally, we hope that we don’t have to hand out any penalties; however, that mechanism is there if we need it to help reinforce the message on City closures,” Bowman says.

Residents will be expected to follow the distancing set out by the province.