Playgrounds and Pools to Open: Doubles Permitted on Village Tennis Courts

Good news from the Scarsdale Recreation Department. The Scarsdale Pool Complex will open, but not until July 18. Kids can use Village playgrounds and tennis players can play doubles on Village Courts. Here are the details along with guidelines for use– and more. Read the entire memo on the Village website here: 

Municipal Pool Complex
The Municipal Pool Complex will open on Saturday, July 18. Pool permit purchases will be discounted 25% from the regular prices and are available for purchase online. Seniors will receive an additional discount, as per our normal pricing structure.

The pool complex will be operated in a manner meeting or exceeding NYS and Westchester County public health standards in order to make visits safe and enjoyable. More details to come as the reopening plan continues to take shape, informed by the abundant feedback we received in response to the resident survey recently circulated – thanks for participating.

Camp Programs
Although it became necessary to cancel our traditional summer camp programs, Governor Cuomo has granted authority to move forward with other camp programs, subject to a variety of public health mandates and guidance. We are working with the Westchester County Health Department to identify program offerings that can be provided safely during the months of July and August.

Playgrounds
Governor Cuomo has authorized playgrounds to open on a statewide basis, “subject to local discretion.” Accordingly, Scarsdale playgrounds are now open for public use, subject to the following recommendations.

Parents should recognize that no reasonable disinfection protocol is available to make outdoor playground equipment safe from potential exposure to a variety of pathogens, such as COVID-19 and others. As such, parents choosing to allow their children to use playground equipment should help children follow these guidelines:

• Don’t visit the playground if it is crowded.
• Don’t visit if you are sick, have tested positive for COVID-19, or were recently (within
14 days) exposed to COVID-19.
• Do maintain a distance of at least six feet away from people you don’t live with.
• Do bring and use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Anyone unable to safely use hand sanitizer should not use the playground equipment.
• Do wear a cloth face covering, if you are able. Cloth face coverings should not be placed on children under age 2 or anyone with problems breathing.

Parents may authorize their children to use playground equipment at their own discretion. New signage is posted at each playground to encourage appropriate public health practices.

Please adhere to all rules and regulations governing use of our parks and facilities. If you are unsure, contact Parks, Recreation and Conservation staff by phone at 914-722-1160, or by email using recreation@scarsdale.com. During evenings and weekends, please contact the Scarsdale Police Department at 914-722-1200.

All park restroom facilities remain closed at this time.

Passive Use Guidance
Passive and solitary recreational use of open facilities and spaces is authorized, but social distancing of at least six feet is required. Examples of “passive use” activities include, for example, birding, hiking, walking, jogging, kite flying, and small family group (same household) recreation activities, except the prohibited activities and uses listed above.
Please also note that a mask/face covering is mandatory for all park and facility visitors when within six feet of others.

Tennis Courts and Lesson Programs
Doubles play is now authorized and will be available at the following courts by reservation, only: Brite Avenue, Wynmor, Crossway Har-Tru and High School. Additionally staff has been meeting with our tennis lesson contractor, Lifetime Racquet Sports to establish a lesson program focused around the safety and health of both patrons and professional instructor. We anticipate an early July rollout of lesson offerings.

All players need to help be sure we can keep the courts open by demonstrating compliance with the reservation process and facility rules:

• Players must have a valid Tennis Permit to access courts. Permits are available for purchase online from the Parks and Recreation website registration page.
• Reservations are mandatory and limited to one-hour timeslots to ensure residents have equal opportunity for play. Once we gauge demand, this policy may be revisited.
• Court Reservations must be made at least 24 hours prior to play.
• Please arrive ten minutes prior to your reservation and wait in the designated area while
maintaining social distancing – no groups; face covering required within six feet of
others.
• Singles play will be permitted at all open courts.
• Double play will be limited to Brite Avenue, Wynmor, Crossway Har-Tru and High
School courts.
• Players must check-in with attendant before playing; face covering required at check-in.
• All players will be required to show a photo ID or permit when checking-in.
• No lessons are permitted – only residents and their registered guests.
• Bathroom facilities will remain closed – please prepare accordingly.
• Players may choose to wear a face covering and gloves while playing, but not mandatory.

Summer Programs (July and August)
Governor Cuomo stated on Sunday, June 14, that “Low-Risk Youth Sports,” defined as baseball, softball, gymnastics, field hockey, cross country and crew will be authorized as of July 06 for any location that has been authorized to enter Phase III, which may be as early as next week for Westchester County.

Other Special Events
Decisions on the following programs have not been made at this time and depend on a number of variables, including the ability to hold each event in compliance with public health mandates and guidelines in-place at the time of each event:

• Summer concert series with Westchester Band in Chase Park
• Parties in the Park
• Bike and Blade Night

Prohibited Activities and Uses
The following activities and uses continue to be universally prohibited throughout all Village of Scarsdale parks and recreational facilities, with the next modification expected to occur after Westchester County enters Phase III (now in Phase II):

• Public gatherings greater than 10 people, consistent with Governor Cuomo’s Executive Orders and directives.

• Any court or other facility with a sign prohibiting use.

• Team sports, e.g., baseball, football, lacrosse, soccer, etc.

Basketball courts, exercise stations, and bathrooms remain closed at this time.

Click here to read more about specific facilities: