×

A different season

Recreation areas gear up for summer in COVID’S shadow

-Messenger photo by Elijah Decious
Lifeguards swim laps at Rosedale Rapids Aquatic Center on a warm Friday before the pool reopens to the public.

Editor’s note: Today we continue our weekly series highlighting how the economy is reopening, taking a specific look at recreation and destination locations.

Local recreational destinations are preparing for a different kind of summer than most years.

As more COVID-19 restrictions in Iowa are lifted by Gov. Kim Reynolds, families may find that their best bet for safe, socially distanced summer fun lies in the great outdoors.

In Fort Dodge, one place families will be able to cool off is Rosedale Rapids Aquatic Center, which is following new guidelines to allow for fun that isn’t stifled by the looming threat of the virus.

-Messenger photo by Elijah Decious
As Rosedale Rapids Aquatic Center reopens this weekend, the lazy river, seen here, will temporarily remain closed. It will reopen in July without innertubes, which are impractical to sanitize between swimmers.

This year, the pools at Rosedale Rapids will be open to about one-fifth of usual capacity, with 225 swimmers allowed in the pools at a time. The aquatic center opened on Saturday.

The new number is based off the capacity that pools can handle while allowing swimmers to remain six feet apart. With about 100 season passes allowed so far — half of the usual amount, which sold out 20 minutes after going on sale — about 120 day pass swimmers will be allowed through the gates.

But inside the gates, most of the usual fun will still be available. While the lazy river will be closed until July, most slides and the diving board will stay open.

With U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance indicating that the water itself in properly-chlorinated pools poses no risk of spreading COVID-19, Rosedale Rapids could be an appealing option for families looking to beat the heat.

“We really want to be slow and steady and intentional in making sure we get (restrictions) right so everybody has the ability to feel safe while at (the city’s parks and pools),” said Lori Branderhorst, director of parks, recreation and forestry for the city of Fort Dodge. “There have been dozens of pools around the state that have chosen not to open because it’s a heavy load on keeping people safe and how to control behavior in the water with kids.”

-Messenger photo by Elijah Decious
Tanner Nelson, front left, trains life guards at Rosedale Rapids Aquatic Center Friday before their first day of the summer. Gov. Kim Reynolds has lifted restrictions on public pools, allowing Rosedale Rapids to reopen at a fraction of its normal capacity to ensure social distancing.

Branderhorst said the city has worked hard to ensure an enjoyable, safe experience, implementing much more stringent cleaning routines and new modifications. Hot spots for contact will be sanitized throughout the day.

When the lazy river is finished with repairs, it will reopen without inner tubes in July, as the inner tubes cannot be practically sanitized between each swimmer. The lap pool and recreation pool remain open. Reynolds allowed lap pools and swimming lessons to resume in May.

If it seems that social distancing can be maintained adequately after a “dry run” a few weeks into the opening, Branderhorst said the city will consider selling more season passes.

The concession stand will open a bit later this month, and acrylic glass barriers will be installed around cashiers and lifeguards manning the slides. Some staff in closer proximity to visitors will wear masks.

Visitors should bring their own chairs, as chairs and tables have been removed.

-Messenger photo by Elijah Decious
Alexa Hiracheta, lifeguard at Rosedale Rapids Aquatic Center, swims laps between training exercises before she starts her summer job.

Other popular outdoor options are still available in the city’s wide array of parks and trails, all of which remain open. This week, the city will start accepting new reservations for open and enclosed shelters and cabins.

“I’m thrilled we have new users with the parks and trails system,” said Branderhorst. “It’s busy, but people social distance. There’s so much respect on the rules of social distancing.”

Splash pads at parks will remain closed, given the inability to properly sanitize them on a frequent basis.

“The city is doing everything we can for a safe environment, but we all have to be responsible for our own personal hygiene,” she added.

For those who want to spend time paddling on the lakes and water trails around Webster County, the county’s conservation department offers canoe and kayak rentals. The rentals are located at John F. Kennedy Memorial Park and reservations can be made from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

There are six kayaks and two canoes available for rental, and can be taken out of Kennedy Park for use. The conservation office also has five stand-up paddle boards for rent, but those can only be used on Badger Lake and can be rented on a two-hour basis.

To rent a canoe, kayak or paddle board, renters must be at least 18 years old and have completed a safe paddling course, which can be found online for free at www.boaterexam.com/paddling. Rental reservations can be made by calling 515-576-4258.

Webster County Conservation recommends all paddlers wear life jackets, but children 12 and under are required to wear a life jacket at all times.

Matt Cosgrove, Webster County Conservation director, warns that paddlers should be prudent about paddling within their abilities.

“If they’re not an experienced paddler, probably stick to non-moving water like Badger Lake or Brushy Creek,” he said. “Those are good options for those that are just learning or ones that aren’t that experienced with moving water yet.”

For indoor recreation, one local option is Fort Frenzy, 3232 First Ave. S.

Fort Frenzy, which offers attractions like laser tag, go-karts and mini-golf, as well as an arcade and an escape room, is open at full-capacity as of Friday. It is also open for birthday parties and events now.

Fort Frenzy is doing what it can to keep everything “nice and clean and coronavirus-free,” said Assistant Manager Kelsey Flockhart.

“All of our employees wear masks and we have hand sanitizer at different stations,” she said. “And we just make sure to sanitize games literally all day.”

All of the facility’s games are now spaced six feet apart to facilitate social distancing. The staff have also moved the soda fountain machine so it is not accessible to customers, and staff will fill drinks for now.

“We’re just making sure it’s a safe place for everybody to come hang out and play,” Flockhart said.

The Fort Museum and Frontier Village, 1 Museum Rd., will reopen to the public on June 24. In the meantime, museum staff are looking for volunteers to help with clean-up around the museum to help get it ready for opening, said Laura Crowl, events and communications director for the Fort Museum Opera House.

In light of COVID-19 concerns and expecting a slower summer this year, the Fort Museum has cut down its hours to 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays through Sundays. The museum will be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. However, BINGO at the Opera House will continue to be held on Monday and Thursday evenings.

Crowl said she isn’t too worried about having to limit the number of bingo players because the Opera House’s capacity is 400 and the bingo crowd is usually less than 100.

“And we’ve got barriers up across the concession stand and hand sanitizer and masks if needed,” Crowl said. “We suggest bingo players wear masks, but it’s not required. And please don’t come if you don’t feel well.”

For museum visitors, Crowl said they are encouraging groups of 10 or more to split up for tours and if tours “overlap” at one of the museum buildings, to take turns going in.

“We’re going to have social distancing signs up,” Crowl said. “Most people know it. It’s common sense to not crowd 30 people into one building.”

Local 4-H’ers have been helping work on the museum’s gardens, and Pride in Community Appearance has been working on the lawn and flowers, Crowl added.

For community members interested in volunteering for clean-up at the museum, or to book an event at the Opera House, they can reach out to Crowl at 515-269-3846.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today