The city of Butler's parks, tennis courts and picnic shelters are open under COVID-19 guidelines, but playgrounds and athletic facilities at the parks remain closed.

The parks opened May 15, the first day of the yellow phase of reopenings from the coronavirus, after City Council approved the opening May 7.

“The shelters are open and tennis courts are open,” said Councilman Jeff Smith, director of parks and recreation and public property. “We wanted to open as much as possible under the guidelines.”

Remaining closed are the skate park at Father Marinaro Park, playgrounds at all parks, all basketball courts and the baseball, softball and football fields at Father Marinaro, Whippo Avenue and Memorial Park.

People walking or bicycling in the parks must obey social distancing of six to 15 feet and the maximum capacity at the shelters is 25.

Reservations for shelters can be made through the treasurer's office.

Summer camps will also go on, with the city's summer recreation programs at Rotary Park, Institute Hill Playground, Christie Avenue Playground, Memorial Park and Father Marinaro Park starting in June.

Smith said he hopes the playgrounds will be the next facilities the city will be allowed to open.

“For the most part, people have been pretty good about following the guidelines,” Smith said. “As it gets warmer, more people will want to use them. There hasn't been a large outcry. I think people understand what we're trying to do.”

The athletic facilities will gradually reopen when the county moves into the green reopening phase.

“When it goes to green, the athletic fields can be somewhat opened up with modified rules. The skate park opens in green. Playgrounds (and) most things in the parks would open in green,” Smith said.

He said the parks and recreation department employees prepared the parks for opening, and clean and sanitize the restrooms at the parks every day.

“The guys have done a great job getting them ready. All we need is the state to turn green. That would be great,” Smith said.