A report on how to make Windsor parks safer during the COVID-19 pandemic is coming to city council Monday afternoon.
The report was requested weeks ago, but the timing couldn't be more fitting after a weekend that saw Toronto residents gather in large groups in city parks.
Police in the Ontario capital let it slide Saturday, but Toronto Mayor John Tory said the threat to public health won't be tolerated moving forward.
Physical distancing rules are handed down by the province, but additional ideas were brought forward to make park use safer including: more signage, closing trails that are too narrow and creating one way areas where trails form a loop.
The Windsor Police Service has been keeping an eye on high traffic areas and responding to complaints, but Senior Parks Manager James Chacko says the focus remains on education before enforcement.
"There are a lot of people utilizing the parks but by and large, really respecting the social distancing aspect, which is important," he says. "Really we focused on that sort of campaign to this point of getting the word out."
Chacko says keeping the parks open and safe comes down to the people using them.
"If you're going to be out there in the parks, continue to act safely and as courteous as you can towards the other park users and if you're doing that there's the ability to utilize the trails, parks and the green space," he says.
Chacko says measures already in place are getting the job done so far.
"Just kind of staying with the current communication that is working, but certainly if council wishes us to do something else we do have some options that we could follow through with," added Chacko.
Ward 9 Councillor Kieran McKenzie requested the report at the last council meeting.
He's happy with how quickly the report was put together, but plans on bringing forward some ideas of his own Monday.
Council gets underway at 1 p.m.