City announces timeline for reopening of parks and municipal facilities; postpones July 4th fireworks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 22, 2020
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​WISCONSIN RAPIDS -- The City of Wisconsin Rapids is pleased to announce plans for reopening municipal parks and properties. City parks, including playgrounds, are open immediately, with park facilities opening by the middle of next week. Park shelters are available for private use beginning June 5 and shelter rentals made previously will be honored.
 
All departments at City Hall will be open to the public starting June 1.
 
While we encourage residents to visit our parks and municipal facilities, we ask that visitors continue to follow public health guidelines provided by the Wood County Health Department. When in public places, please remember to keep moving to help prevent crowding. Please practice physical distancing, clean your hands regularly, and avoid common touch points to help prevent the spread of germs. Most importantly, stay home if you are sick. City staff will do their best to continue to sanitize and disinfect restroom facilities on a daily basis.
 
Most public “mass gathering events” in City parks and public spaces will be restricted until July 1. This includes all youth athletic events. Adult softball leagues may begin June 1 in City facilities. The Wisconsin Rapids Municipal Zoo will open as soon as animals are ready to be moved back into the facility. The Regional Aquatics Center, Mead Field Splash Pad and Skate Park are tentatively scheduled to open on June 29.
 
To mitigate risks related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual Fourth of July fireworks festival will be celebrated Labor Day weekend – honoring both Independence Day and Labor Day with a fireworks event on September 5.
 
For more information, please call the City of Wisconsin Rapids Parks and Recreation Department at 715-421-8240 or online at wirapids.org/parks--recreation.