Yakima Dog Park Pickleball and Tennis Courts Open Friday

More opportunities to get some exercise with your friends or your pets in Yakima. Yakima's dog park at Randall Park and the city of Yakima’s tennis courts at Franklin Park and Kissel Park, as well as pickleball courts at Franklin Park are open Friday. The facilities are open after state officials approved lifting some restrictions in the county earlier this week. The park and courts have been closed since early March.

A news release from the city says the following social distancing protocols will be required at City tennis and pickleball courts and the same restrictions and masking requirements are also required at the city dog park.

    "Wear a mask whenever you are not playing and are in close proximity to others.
    Social distancing requirements must be observed at all times. A 6-foot separation must be maintained at all times when not playing.
    Players must refrain from congregating in groups anywhere on or around the courts.
    Players must wash or sanitize their hands upon arriving and immediately before starting play. Sanitize hands again when changing opponents.
    Players will need to bring their own hand sanitizer or antibacterial wipes and use them throughout play.
    Each player may only play with 4 different people per day to comply with rules of maximum group of 5 people. Common pickleball play of moving between courts and players is NOT allowed at this time.
    Do not touch balls from other courts, return the ball to them without touching it.
    Players will forgo the traditional after round handshake or paddle tap. Meeting at the net within 6 feet of someone is NOT allowed at this time.
    Players will immediately leave the courts after play is finished.
    Players must cover coughs and sneezes with a disposable tissue or cough and sneeze into the elbow rather than hands, and throw tissues away after use; wash or sanitize hands after coughing or sneezing
    Stay home if you are sick or are feeling sick."