Two Vancouver golf courses, VanDusen Botanical Garden to reopen May 1

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Two Vancouver golf courses and the VanDusen Botanical Garden will reopen to the public this Friday, the Vancouver Park Board has announced.

The Fraserview and McCleery courses and the garden will operate with new “physical distancing procedures” so people can still enjoy activities while staying safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Park Board says in a release.

These sites were closed in mid-March because of the health crisis to encourage people to stay home. However, the Park Board said on Monday that “after careful planning and preparation,” as well as consultation with partners and the Vancouver Coastal Health authority, it was determined it would be able to reopen the two courses and the 55-acre outdoor garden, “to provide safe outdoor recreation opportunities.”

As part of new protocols, anyone wanting to go to Fraserview or McCleery will need to make a booking online ahead of time. Golfers will need to arrive at the course no more than 20 minutes before tee off, and are being asked to wait in their cars until they’re ready to pay and play. Once they are done playing, they will be asked to leave immediately. Golfers will tee off at 18 minute intervals, meaning there will be half as many tee times as usual, the Park Board added.

The gold shop will only allow two customers inside at a time, and all food and beverage services will remain closed. If you’re planning a day at either course, you’ll also need to bring either a debit or credit card as cash will not be accepted.

Meanwhile, to further avoid the spread of COVID-19, the Park Board has removed “all frequent touch points,” like garbage can lids, ball washers, and bunker rakes. Flag sticks will also not be touched, and cup fillers will be installed to prevent the ball from going into the bottom of the hole “for touchless retrieval.”

The Langara Golf Course, which was also shut down last month, will remain closed. The clubhouse at the Langara course is currently being used to prepare meals for Downtown Eastside residents, the Park Board said.

“Pitch and putts in Stanley, Rupert and Queen Elizabeth parks will also remain closed,” a release reads.

If you want to enjoy a day at VanDusen, you’ll need to buy a ticket online and “book an entry time slot in advance.”

“Hours of operation will be modified to provide the safest visitor experience,” the Park Board release reads.

The garden will be open Monday to Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and open on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Members of the Vancouver Botanical Gardens Association, meanwhile, will be able to access VanDusen from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Monday to Friday.

No more than 30 visitors will be allowed into the garden during each time slot, which runs ever half hour.Some shops and cafes will remain closed, while some paths will be designated as “one-way” and visitors will be asked to maintain a social distance of two-metres from one-another.

The Park Board said “enhanced and rigorous” cleaning measures will also be in place for washrooms and other common areas.

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