The Butler City Council is reminding residents that using playground equipment, basketball or tennis courts, picnic shelters and participating in group activities of any kind is prohibited in all city parks until further notice.

Mayor Ben Smith reiterated at Tuesday's virtual meeting of council that the coronavirus emergency declaration issued last month after Gov. Tom Wolf's stay-at-home order included regulations that only walking, jogging or bicycling — preferably alone or with one other person from the same household — are permitted in the parks.

Smith said city police officers are approaching those violating the order and asking them to move away from the equipment and courts.

“If you are approached by police, please respect that,” Smith said.

Councilman Jeff Smith added dogs are not permitted to run loose on sports fields in the parks.

He said police reported that because no baseball, football or other sports are being played during the pandemic, pet owners are using the fields to exercise their dogs.

Smith said Father Marinaro Park in the city's Southside neighborhood is one location where dogs have been let loose by their owners.

“Actually, we never want to see dogs running loose on our fields,” Ben Smith said.

Police Chief Bob O'Neill said his officers have been spending considerable time chasing kids off playground equipment and telling pet owners to secure their dogs.

He said Memorial Park and Father Marinaro Park have the most offenders.

“A lot of people do not understand that they are not allowed on that equipment and playing basketball and playing in large groups, and we are constantly moving them away from it,” he said.

O'Neill said most residents comply immediately, and officers experienced no confrontations with anyone.

“We're just trying to keep them off of the equipment and keep them safe,” he said.

Signs regarding the playground equipment and courts were installed last month by city workers.