Five city parks in Jersey City are reopen today with a few restrictions, all part of Mayor Steven Fulop's plan to help residents restore something many have lost — a routine.

 

Parks are just part of the list of places that have been shut down to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. But this morning, people can once again visit one of the five parks, and jog and walk to stay active in a noncontact way.

“We think this is about safety and health, and mental health and physical health, and densely populated areas like Jersey City, it is a different animal than East Windsor,” says Mayor Fulop. “So here, people don't have a lot of space to move and it's not realistic to think people are going to stay inside their homes indefinitely."

The five parks reopening to residents are Enos Jones Park, Berry Lane Park, Audubon Park, Leonard Gordon Park, and Pershing Field. All have been deep-cleaned.

 

“In a city a dense area like Jersey City, open space is important to mental physical health,” says Mayor Fulop. “You got to make really smart pragmatic decisions, people aren't going to stay in their homes indefinitely and we shouldn't pretend that. It's a new world, but we got to be realistic that we can't wait 18 months to see a vaccine and tread water. We want to see forward progress and we're going to do our best, slowly, but move in that direction.

Anyone who plans on visiting must wear a face mask or covering, and practice social distancing. Gloves are also recommenced. Dog runs, basketball courts and playgrounds will still be closed. If the parks get too full, or people aren't following those rules, the Jersey City Police Department will be patrolling.