Founders Park courts will remain locked to locals, while the dog park will stay closed as village officials continue to assess the state of the current COVID-19 pandemic. Open spaces and trails are open for walks, jogs and recreation, so long as social distancing and group gathering guidelines are followed.
Recent health department data shows just two positive cases in Islamorada. To ensure that number doesn’t grow, village council members agreed that basketball and tennis courts, as well as the dog park, shouldn’t be allowed for public use just yet.
They did agree, however, to open up the Plantation Yacht Harbor boat ramp at Founders to Islamorada residents only beginning on Monday. Proof must be provided with a driver’s license within the incorporated limits of the village or a Founders Park membership card. The ramp will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be no sales of fuel, ice or other supplies.
“We’ve gone this far. We’ve been fortunate to keep things in check,” said Councilman Jim Mooney. “Staff is getting work done that’s needed to be done around the park. The boat ramp is different. It’s one boat at a time, not 10.”
On March 20, all parks and beaches in the village were shut down to prevent large social gatherings and potential for community spread of coronavirus. That included Anne’s Beach and Library Beach facilities.
Locals were still able to utilize Founders Park facilities until the village took it a step further and closed tennis and pickleball courts off to users on April 3. Basketball hoops were also taken down.
“I do want to get the park reopened,” said councilwoman Deb Gillis. “We must do what is right and we must do it for everybody to protect everybody in our way of life. I understand the boat ramp, so long as we supervise it enough.”
Islamorada was one of the first municipalities in Monroe County to close off parks and beaches to the public. Mayor Mike Forster said the village should wait to open the parks until Miami-Dade and Broward counties begin to open their facilities.
“Until Miami-Dade really unrestricts their parks and gives their people some amenities to stay at home, then we shouldn’t send the wrong message and be the only municipality in the whole county that opens their park,” he said. “I’m OK with the boat ramp.”
Vice Mayor Ken Davis and councilman Chris Sante were also in favor of opening up the boat ramp. At Founders, Davis said signs should be installed with guidelines that must be strictly adhered to.
Officials say they’ll reconsider opening the park in two weeks.
