Communications Office

Directed Health Measures Implemented in City Parks

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Resources has issued Directed Health Measure Orders for Madison County on March 29, 2020. The City of Norfolk Parks and Recreation Division will follow those orders and encourages all citizens to follow these orders.

The City’s athletic facilities are closed to organized practices and games and the bathrooms associated with these facilities will remain closed until further notice. Booked reservations for the rental cabins and open air shelters have been cancelled through April 30, 2020 and the City will not be taking any new reservations until further notice. As of March 31, 2020 the City is closing all the playgrounds in the parks and will have signage up by the end of the day.

For the time being we will keep some general use bathrooms in some parks open and implement extra cleaning and disinfecting procedures during this time.

We will continually assess the situation and follow the guidelines issued by the Elkhorn Logan Valley Health Department (ELVHD), The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and any directives issued by Nebraska Department of Health and Human Resources as to extending or lifting cancellations and any further closings within the City Parks if deemed necessary.

We feel our parks, open spaces and trails provide for an important connection to the outdoors and offers an opportunity for physical activity which studies demonstrate reduces stress and improves mental health. We ask that you follow the recommendations of the CDC and ELVHD with respect to the use of our parks and green spaces with respect to social distancing, gatherings and personal hygiene.