May 4, 2020 UPDATE:
DOG PARK & TENNIS COURTS OPENING TOMORROW, MAY 5!
Hessel, Lindsay Courts, and Sunset Ridge courts will open tomorrow. Clark, Eisner, and Spalding will be next up to open as soon as we can get nets up.
Both have some guidelines:
Dog Park:
Stay home if sick. Maintain social distancing of 6 ft or more. Wear a face covering when 6 ft distance can’t be maintained. Do not pet other dogs without permission
Tennis:
COURTS ARE OPEN FOR SINGLES USE ONLY (NO DOUBLES)
All players must have their own equipment including individual balls for serves. Players shall not touch opponent’s served balls, but return their opponent’s balls by use of racquet. Social distancing of 6 ft must be observed. Champaign Park District programs and private lessons have priority usage of courts.
April 14, 2020 UPDATE:
Champaign Park District is continuing to monitor the use of parks and amenities as concerns for community spread of COVID-19 continue. Champaign-Urbana Public Health Department has recommended both Champaign and Urbana Dog Parks close until further notice to prevent close gatherings of people.
The Champaign Park District Dog Park will be closed effective Wednesday, April 15. Memberships will be extended for all current members for the amount of time the park is closed, to be determined upon reopening.
Dog owners are encouraged to find other locations such as park paths and community sidewalks to exercise their pets. When doing so, continue to practice social distancing measures, which includes keeping 6 feet apart on paths and trails. The CDC currently recommends wearing a face mask when in public.
The Champaign Park District encourages the community to walk to their neighborhood parks, rather than drive to more distant parks if possible. Wash hands before and after, and always stay home if you are feeling unwell. If you see any restricted activity in the park, please notify the Champaign Police Department.
April 2, 2020 UPDATE:
Champaign Park District is continuing to monitor the use of parks and amenities as concerns for community spread of COVID-19 grow. Staff inspections over the last couple weeks have demonstrated the need to close basketball courts. At this time, nets will be closed with zip ties. This is a preventative measure to reduce the number of large groups coming in close contact and to continue efforts to flatten the curve during this delicate time. Please do not tamper with the basketball hoops.
Champaign Park District asks the community to continue to practice social distancing measures, which includes keeping 6 feet apart on paths and trails, as well as other park amenities. The District encourages the community to walk to their neighborhood parks, rather than drive to more distant parks if possible. As a reminder, all playgrounds are also closed under the current Shelter at Home order. District parks remain open for walking, hiking, running and biking as long as park users comply with social distancing requirements.
Looking for a park with a specific amenity like a walking path or art sculptures? Trying to take the kids out and avoid the playgrounds? Check out our Park Amenities Spreadsheet by clicking here.
You may also search all Champaign parks by location or amenity on our website here.
Also consider following allow with us on Facebook as we post a number of activities and challenges, as well as some engaging videos of our Town & Country Amateur Art Show, and Storytime with Ms. Horvat!
If you choose to go out, please continue social distancing practices and remember that all playgrounds are currently closed. Wash hands before and after, and always stay home if you are feeling unwell. If you see any restricted activity in the park, please notify the Champaign Police Department.
March 21, 2020 UPDATE:
Champaign Park District has been closely following CDC recommendations to help reduce the spread of COVID 19 including facility closures and program cancellations. Following Governor Pritzker’s March 20th announcement of a statewide “stay at home order,” the closures and cancellations will be extended through April 7.
Also, per Gov. Pritzker’s order, all playgrounds will be closed to the public beginning Saturday, March 21 at 5pm. District parks remain open for walking, hiking, running and biking as long as park users comply with social distancing requirements.
Programs may be subject to rescheduling or refunds. To seek a program refund, reach out to the program’s staff contact by phone or email if possible. Otherwise, leave a voicemail at 217-398-2550.
March 14, 2020, 3PM UPDATE:
The Champaign Park District has been closely following the Center for Disease Control guidelines on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and has implemented several precautions with our facilities, staff, and volunteers at the Champaign Park District to help keep our patrons safe.
To continue to be proactive toward our community’s health, all Champaign Park District indoor facilities will be closed to the public effective March 14, 2020 through March 31, 2020, at which time the situation will be reassessed. Polling places will remain open for voting purposes only. Parks, paths and playgrounds will remain open to the public.
This closure includes all Champaign Park District programming and rentals. Programs may be subject to rescheduling or refunds. The Champaign Park District will continue to staff the facilities from 8am-5pm, Monday through Friday during this period to respond to phone calls and emailed questions and requests from community members. For information on affected programs, rentals, and facilities, please contact staff at the applicable facility or call 217-398-2550.
Champaign Park District will continue to closely monitor the situation during this time of closure.
To help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, we encourage you to stay current with CDC recommendations:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cough or sneeze into your elbow.
- Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds.
- Use hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home and at work.
March 13, 2020:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CHAMPAIGN PARK DISTRICT CANCELS PROGRAMS THROUGH APRIL 12 AS COVID-19 PRECAUTION
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Joe DeLuce
Champaign Park District Executive Director
Office: 217.819.3821
Cell: 217.714.2333
Email: joe.deluce@champaignparks.org
Champaign, IL – The Champaign Park District has been closely following the Center for Disease Control guidelines on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and has implemented several precautions with our facilities, staff, and volunteers at the Champaign Park District to help keep our patrons safe.
To continue to be proactive in our community’s health, all Champaign Park District programming and rentals will be cancelled effective March 14, 2020 through April 12, 2020. Virginia Theatre programming cancellations will extend through May 10, 2020. An Emergency Champaign Park Board meeting has been called for March 14, 2020, 12pm at Bresnan Meeting Center to discuss further actions.
Programs may be subject to rescheduling or refunds. The Champaign Park District will continue to staff the facilities during this period to respond to questions and requests from community members. For information on affected programs, rentals, and facilities, please contact staff at the applicable facility or call 217-398-2550. For more information on Virginia Theatre program postponements, see below.
The Champaign Park District will continue to staff the Virginia Theatre and the Virginia Theatre Box Office during this period, Monday through Friday, from 10:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. to respond to patron questions and requests. The public events affected by this suspension are listed below. Many of these events are to be rescheduled, with new dates to be announced to the public soon.
Patrons who had previously purchased tickets to attend these events should hold onto their tickets pending notification of reschedule, as their original tickets will still be honored at the new date(s). Any patron unable to attend a given event at its rescheduled date may request a full refund once that date has been announced.
Patrons holding tickets to an event that has been cancelled without plans to reschedule will receive a full refund.
For more information, please consult the Virginia Theatre website at www.thevirginia.org or call 217/356-9063.
Please note that the Roger Ebert Film Festival (April 15 through 18, 2020) was previously cancelled by the event organizers on March 12, 2020.
VIRGINIA THEATRE EVENT SUSPENSIONS:
Steven Ball, Wurlitzer organ concert, 3/14/2020, To be rescheduled
ReWind Bad Movie Monday: Escape from New York, 3/16/2020, To be rescheduled
The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artists, 3/20/2020, To be rescheduled
News-Gazette Film Series: On The Waterfront, 3/21/2020, To be rescheduled
An Evening with Renee Elise Goldsberry, concert, 3/26/2020, To be rescheduled
The Moth Main Stage, spoken word, 3/28/2020, To be rescheduled
Gordon Lightfoot, concert, 3/30/2020, To be rescheduled
Hello Goodbye, Dance Arts recital, 4/4/20 and 4/5/20, To be rescheduled
Champaign Park Honors, award ceremony, 4/9/2020, To be rescheduled
Apollo 13, film screening, 4/11/2020, To be rescheduled
EBERTFEST, 4/15/20 to 4/18/20, Cancelled (2020 passes will be honored at 2021 festival)
David Sedaris, spoken word, 4/22/2020, To be rescheduled
ReWind Movie Series: Bill&Ted’s Excellent Adventure, 4/25/2020, To be rescheduled
News-Gazette Film Series: Cool Hand Luke, 4/26/20, To be rescheduled
The Jungle Book KIDS, youth theatre, 4/30/20 to 5/2/20, Cancelled
CU Ballet presents Coppelia, 5/8/20 and 5/9/20, Cancelled
For more information, contact Steven Bentz at 217/819-3902 or email steven.bentz@champaignparks.org.
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To help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, we encourage you to stay current with CDC recommendations:
1. Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
2. Stay home when you are sick.
3. Cough or sneeze into your elbow.
4. Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds.
5. Use hand sanitizer.
6. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
7. Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home and at work.
