New parks restrictions in place in St. Paul, but not everyone following rules

People were out playing safe-distancing soccer Thursday at St. Anthony Park in St. Paul.

It's yet another sign of changing times during the COVID-19 crisis.  

“We’re trying to get out, stay outside, stay connected, but from a distance,” says Owen Salzwedel from Minneapolis. “We're pretty far apart. Like we're just shooting on the goal. Generally, we're not too close to each other."

Nearby, the tennis court is padlocked, and organized team sports are banned on playing fields — all part of new restrictions St. Paul Parks and Recreation officials are putting into place because of the pandemic.

“Really out of concern for the public's safety, doing what is best for our community,” said St. Paul Parks and Recreation Director Mike Hahm. “Some areas, especially when it's busy, it's just too difficult to maintain and predict, that social distancing can be maintained.” 

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Playgrounds and basketball courts are also closed, but it was game on for a group of basketball players at one court, who told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS off camera that it would be OK, since the hoop was still up and there were no "closed" signs.

Brody Steineck, who was out walking his dog, said he’s seen this before.

“Yeah, I do see young people out here,” he said. “Three to four young kids playing basketball every once in a while. I think to myself, 'You know, I thought we weren't supposed to be doing that.'”

There were no warning signs at the playground, either.

Parks officials tell us they do plan on removing the hoops at the city’s 80 parks and will put up "closed" signs soon. They say they’ve started that process, but some hoops might still be up.

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Whether or not the warnings are in place, Parks and Rec says those area are still off-limits.

“Everybody wants to do the right thing,” Hahm says.

And park users say there are challenges for everyone.

“It’s definitely necessary to keep people safe, but it’s hard to get out and be with your friends,” Salzwedel said.

Minneapolis is taking a less stringent approach with parks, encouraging social distancing and pleading with the public to take precautions.

One official, calling the approach a "challenge," said authorities may have to take further steps if people don’t use the parks in safety.

“It’s a weird time,” Steineck says. “It seems a little odd in these times that we’re all doing our best to stay inside, or away from each other.”