Coronavirus Information

CCPR is fully operational. Below is information that was released when the pandemic and shutdowns began in March 2020.

With the release of the Governor’s Back on Track Indiana plan and Stage updates, Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation continues to look forward to providing opportunities for the public to once again explore, engage and connect with our award-winning park system. CCPR has proactively identified and established safety protocols for the phased reopening of our parks, programs, and facilities. Visitors and participants will notice a variety of significant changes to CCPR’s operations, especially during the initial phases of implementation, to best ensure everyone’s wellbeing.
 
“In preparing our resumption of operations plan, CCPR relied on best practices from the Back on Track Indiana plan, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Recreation and Park Association, among other sources,” explained Michael Klitzing, Director of Parks and Recreation. “We also want to thank the Hamilton County Health Department and a panel of respected doctors for reviewing and providing valuable feedback on our plan.” The panel was comprised of Dr. Michael Kaufmann, Dr. Tracey Ikerd, and Dr. Timothy Hannon.
 
The reopening plan is available in the links below. Area-specific information may also be found in the below dropdowns. Stages are subject to change based on CDC guidance and other new information. Additional restrictions could apply.

RESUMPTION OF OPERATIONS PLAN (VERSION 6.0)

Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation – Resumption of Operations Plan Snapshot

MONON COMMUNITY CENTER – RESUMPTION OF OPERATIONS PLAN Snapshot

Parks & Greenways – Resumption of Operations Plan Snapshot

The Monon Community Center is open and is resuming normal operations. Below are a few general notes for our guests. For specific information on MCC hours, amenities or schedules, please visit the Monon Community Center webpage.

• Reservations are being accepted for Lap Swimming, Group Fitness Classes and KidZone.
• The Sauna will remain closed until further notice. 
• Towel services will be temporarily suspended. If you would like to use a towel, please bring one from home.
• To stay hydrated please bring a water bottle from home. We will have a fill station available, but water fountains will be closed.
• If you are sick or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please stay home.
• We encourage you to perform a temperature check at home prior to visiting the facility.
• Use proper hygiene and wash hands frequently. Maintain six feet distance from the nearest person.
• Enhanced cleaning measures are still in effect throughout the day. Cleaning products will be provided so you can clean the fitness equipment to your desired level.

The Waterpark is open! Below are a few general notes for our guests. For specific information on The Waterpark hours, amenities, or how to purchase a day pass, please visit The Waterpark webpage.

• Inner tubes will be provided for the Lazy River and Adventure Slide. Self-sanitizing stations will be available for guests to sanitize their inner tubes before use.
• Lawn chairs will be unavailable for use. Guests will be permitted to bring their own seating.
• Life jackets will be available. Self-sanitizing stations will be available for guests to sanitize life jackets before and after use. Guests are also welcome to bring their own life jackets that are U.S. Coast Guard Approved. 
• Guests must enter The Waterpark through the main gate. Access to The Waterpark will not be available through the Monon Community Center. 
• Drinking fountains will be closed; water bottle refill stations will be open – bring a water bottle and fill it all season long at no cost. 
• Concessions will be open with social distancing parameters in place. As always, guests can bring their own food and drink; however, glass and alcohol are prohibited. Coolers and bags will be checked by staff before admission.
• We continue to follow the CDC and local health department’s guidelines for mask-wearing. Guests are encouraged to wear masks when not actively swimming and/or not fully vaccinated. The Waterpark staff will also wear masks if not fully vaccinated.

Visit The Waterpark page for more information.

Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation offers a variety of recreational programming for our community each season.

COVID-Related Procedures for Programming:

• Each room will be cleaned before and after each program.
• If program supplies are used, they will be cleaned before and after each program.
  Program supplies will not be shared between participants.
• Mask should not be worn in Aquatics, Sports and Wellness programs unless notified.
• Masks should be worn in Nature, Creative Arts, Enrichment, and Science & Technology, + Senior programs unless notified.
• Physical distancing guidelines should be followed.

Visit Programs Page

View the SUMMER Program Guide

The ESE program and 2020-21 school year has concluded. We hope you have a wonderful summer break!

Please check back in early August regarding guidelines + procedures for the 2021-22 school year.

Summer camps are being offered from June 1 – July 30. Please click here for camp information.

Keeping Everyone Safe + Healthy: COVID-19 Mitigation Strategies

Maintaining the health and safety of our campers and staff is more than a goal; it is a core value of our Summer Camp Series. Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation is committed to following rigorous, data-driven COVID-19 mitigation strategies. Working together with our parents/guardians, we will take every precaution necessary to have a safe, healthy summer!

CDC Camp Safety Video

COVID-19 risk mitigation strategies implemented by the Summer Camp Series are subject to change based upon current guidance from public health officials.

• CCPR will provide contact tracing at all camp locations. Campers will be assigned to cohort pods of 30 campers, not to interact amongst groups. Due to varied weekly expected camp attendance, pod groupings are subject to change from week to week, although our goal is to keep groupings as consistent as possible.  
• All campers and staff will be required to wear a cloth face covering at camp when physical distancing is not feasible. 
• CCPR will increase staff awareness of communicable disease procedures through required training offerings and enhanced procedures. All camps will put a communicable disease action plan into place. Training will include, but is not limited to, health and safety procedures, what and how to clean/disinfect/sanitize, daily health self-assessment for staff and campers, general communicable disease information, camper health/symptom assessment and use of PPE.
• Campers and staff will receive a daily symptom screening before entering camp.  
• Staff will engage in enhanced cleaning efforts during the camp day.  
• If a confirmed positive case of COVID-19 is present amongst staff and/or campers, CCPR will work with Hamilton County Health Department to follow all necessary contact tracing protocols. CCPR will notify families of all campers as soon as possible via email. The email to affected families will detail pertinent information regarding the issue as well as the potential length of facility closure for local contractors to deep clean the respective camp space. 
• During lunch/snack, campers will eat with their pod. Each camper will wash their hands before and after eating. Weather-permitting, campers will eat their lunch/snack outside “picnic-style” to encourage physical distancing while masks are off.
• Campers will be asked to wash hands at scheduled times during the day. Hand sanitizer will be readily available and used frequently during camp hours. Camps will prominently display educational content, proper hygiene posters, and child-friendly hand washing instructions. 
• Staff will monitor their pod of children looking for signs of illness and will notify the appropriate personnel if a child develops a constant cough, shortness of breath or appears to have a fever.  
• Staff will monitor coughing and sneezing and will be trained to require campers to immediately wash hands if caught doing so. Additionally, staff will work to educate participants to cough and sneeze into their elbows.
• To help reduce potential “cross-program” germ sharing, we recommend that campers sign up for the same camp type for the entire summer instead of moving around from camp to camp.  
• Field trip destinations have been purposely designed to offer physically distanced experiences for campers. Many field trips are deliberately scheduled for outdoor venues to promote physical distancing efforts as well as exposure to fresh, outdoor air.  
• All stated field trips and swimming trips are weather and pandemic dependent and subject to change using guidance from public health officials.  

The status of facility rentals are subject to change.  Visit the rentals page for more information.

We understand that our parks + greenways are important places for the health and physical activity of our community. Our parks, green spaces, dog park and splashpads (at Westermeier Commons and Midtown Plaza) are open.

We continue to follow the CDC and local health department’s guidelines for mask-wearing. Park users are encouraged to wear masks when not being active (i.e., walking, running, biking, etc.) and/or not fully vaccinated. CCPR staff will also wear masks if not fully vaccinated. Below are a few general notes for our park users.

• Drinking fountains/spouts will remain closed until further notice. Bottle fill stations are open.
• Please practice physical distancing and avoid close contact with others. The CDC recommends a minimum of 6 feet distance to help reduce the risk of spread between individuals.
• We need your help to keep our parks safe for you and others. Please stay home if you are sick and practice good hygiene. Sanitize your hands after touching surfaces within the parks. Avoid touching your face. Sneeze or cough into a tissue or the inside of your elbow. Place garbage in trash receptacles. 

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have provided some preventative measures you can take as well.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

• Stay home if you have a fever or flu-like symptoms remain home until “fever free” for 24 hours. Fever free is considered having a temperature of less than 100° without medication for 24 hours. 
• Consider saying home if you are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 because of your age (60+) or because you have a serious long-term health problem.
• Wash hands or use sanitizer. Wash hands for a minimum of 20 seconds. 
• Stay away from people who are sick or not feeling well and avoid close contact with others through hugging, kissing or shaking hands.
• Disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects such as toys and doorknobs.
• Clean your mats and wipe down equipment before and after use while attending fitness classes or spaces.
• Bring your own towel or water bottle.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or by coughing into the inside of the elbow. Throw used tissues away in the trash.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Seek assistance from a health professional if you see or experience symptoms that cause concern.

For additional information on COVID-19 visit the CDC’s site https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus, Hamilton County Health Department’s site https://www.hamiltoncounty.in.gov/1595/COVID-19-Coronavirus-Information, and the Indiana State Department of Health https://www.in.gov/isdh/28470.htm.

Masks are required for unvaccinated visitors.

• Educational materials, including posters and videos from CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/nonpharmaceutical-interventions/tools-resources/educational-materials.html
• General Information/Posters from CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/factsheets.html
• Informational videos from CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/factsheets.html