Wasilla city officials shut down playgrounds due to COVID-19

WASILLA — The city of Wasilla shut down all playground equipment April 8 to further social distancing efforts and prevent further spread of COVID-19.

“Just like Palmer did. Just like the school district did.” Wasilla Mayor Bert Cottle said. “Kids have to stay off the playground equipment.”

City officials put up signs at local playgrounds like Wonderland and Nunley parks asking the public to avoid contacting the equipment. Cottle said this is just the way things have to be done for the time being.

“How do you sanitize everything some little kid touches?” Cottle said. “I mean, there’s no way we could clean it. We don’t have the staffing. We don’t have the material. You could never keep up.”

While the playground equipment itself is banned people can still access the park areas as long they practice good social distancing measures, according to Cottle.

“You can still go sled on the hill or chase each other around, stuff like that,” Cottle said.

The city of Wasilla regularly posts updates regarding their ongoing coronavirus response efforts.

“If you need us, we’re here,” Cottle said.

As social distancing efforts tighten, more and more public buildings like the Wasilla Library and Menard Sports Center have shut their doors to try and flatten the curve.

“I think the key, part of it, is that we have to think outside the box,” Cottle said. “You gotta ask, ‘how can we be safe and keep everybody else safe?’”

According to the city’s website, the sports center is closed until April 30 and the library is closed until April 13. These timeframes are subject to change since the coronavirus epidemic is an ever-changing process that forces people to rethink preventative strategies on a daily basis.

People can learn more about Wasilla’s playground equipment notice and other relevant updates by visiting their website at cityofwasilla.com. To contact Wasilla City Hall, call 907-373-9030.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com