Public Service Announcement: Restrictions easing on outdoor recreation activities starting May 22, 2021
Lincoln, ON (May 21, 2021) - The Province of Ontario has announced its three-step re-opening framework which is expected to begin in mid-June.
The current stay-at-home order continues to be in effect until Step 1 of the re-opening plan is announced.
At the same time, the Province is allowing additional outdoor recreational amenities to re-open effective Saturday, May 22 at 12:01 a.m. As such, the following amenities in the Town of Lincoln will reopen effective May 22:
- Tennis, pickleball and basketball courts
- Splash pads (decision made on May 21)
- Soccer and other sports fields (no outdoor sports or recreational classes are permitted.)
- Golf courses and driving ranges
Please note that while skateparks are permitted to re-open, the Skatepark and Pump Track at Rotary Park are closed until approximately June 30 due to construction.
Outdoor limits for social gatherings will be expanded to five people, including with members of different households. Parks and open spaces continue to remain open, and the Town encourages everyone to use these outdoor amenities safely.
Please note that the current public health restrictions remain in place, including physical distancing with members of different households, or wearing a face covering where that is not possible. No outdoor sports or recreational classes are permitted. All other current public health and workplace safety measures remain in effect.
“We’ve all been waiting for news on re-opening and it’s such a relief for everyone to see that we’re slowly heading in the right direction,” said Town of Lincoln Mayor Sandra Easton. “With some restrictions easing on the long weekend, I encourage everyone to enjoy the outdoors cautiously, as you have been doing, and continue to follow the current public health measures in place.”
“It is certainly encouraging to see that the vaccination rates are increasing while positive cases of COVID-19 and hospitalizations are decreasing,” added the Town’s Chief Administrative Office Michael Kirkopoulos. “As we learn more from the Province on the first step of re-opening, we will be able to provide the community with more information on facility and service level impacts, and what re-opening looks like in Lincoln throughout the next few months. It’s good news and we are looking forward to slowly getting back to a sense of normalcy.”
For local updates on COVID-19, please continue to visit https://lincoln.ca/coronavirus
Fireworks on Victoria Day weekend
With Victoria Day approaching on May 24, 2021, the Town of Lincoln will not be issuing permits for the sale of fireworks for the holiday weekend.
Although fireworks are not available to purchase in Lincoln for the Victoria Day weekend, it is recognized that residents may still have access to fireworks elsewhere.
“I would discourage the use of fireworks at this time. However, if residents do decide to ignite fireworks, I urge that they do so with extreme caution,” said Lincoln Fire Chief Greg Hudson.
Chief Hudson added that while we are seeing improvements as far as the third wave of the pandemic is concerned, we still need to be vigilant. These measures are being taken in an effort to reduce large gatherings and risk in the community, including potential fires or injury due to the mishandling of fireworks, and to reduce the number of complaint calls we receive from throughout the community – which will ultimately protect your frontline emergency responders, including paramedics, police officers, and firefighters, from avoidable exposure to COVID-19.
Did you know?
- 34% of all fireworks injuries occur at home.
- 79% of those injuries occur to children ages 1-14.
- 27% of those injuries occur on Victoria Day.
- 21% of those injuries occur to eyes.
- 62 % of those injuries are burns.
- 12% of those injuries are caused by sparklers. Sparklers reach temperatures of over 1000 degrees Fahrenheit (538 degrees Celsius).
- You must be 18 years or older to set off fireworks.
We suggest that you celebrate the upcoming holiday safely without the use of fireworks. Check out resources on YouTube for making paper fireworks, or watch a virtual display from the comfort of your home.