DARDENNE PRAIRIE, Mo. (NCC News) — Families walked through the doors of Dardenne Prairie’s Youth Activity Park (YAP) at noon July 29. Despite the presence of COVID they have for the better part of the summer, in large part thanks to protocols set in place by the parks, protocols detailed by St. Charles County Parks Department Marketing Coordinator Nancy Gomer.
“You do have to get your temperature checked before you come in,” Gomer said. “We have hand sanitizer throughout the inside of the complex, the tables have been spread out so that guests are social distancing.”
With protocols like these in place, the parks remained open and the people came to enjoy them as much or even more so than before the pandemic.
“People were really excited to know that our parks were remaining open, because other things, everything else was closing,” Gomer said. “It was kind of like their place to go because they had nowhere else to go.”
That sentiment was echoed by Sarah Evans who, along with her 10-year-old son Ethan, was introduced to the park because of the effects COVID had on previous plans.
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Children make sure to stay socially distant as they ride their scooters, bikes, and skateboards at Dardenne Prairie's Youth Activity Park.
© 2020 Brendon Hodges -
Half-court basketball can still be played, but visitors are required to bring their own equipment.
© 2020 Brendon Hodges -
The Youth Activity Park's sand volleyball court. Like basketball, visitors are required to bring their own equipment to play.
© 2020 Brendon Hodges -
One COVID induced change is the barrier separating the workers inside the YAP's concession stand and the visitors who order concessions from it.
© 2020 Brendon Hodges -
The only activity at the YAP to be completely closed is the indoor and outdoor rock climbing wall.
© 2020 Brendon Hodges -
Inside the park's welcome center seats, tables and games are at the proper social distance.
© 2020 Brendon Hodges
“[Ethan’s] a soccer player and spring sports are canceled,” Evans said. “He just needs some kind of interaction and to get out of the house.”
Because of that, Evans has gone from never setting foot inside of the YAP to going there three times in the last few weeks. Not just because of the amenities provided, but also the protocols in place.
“Before we came here I did look up what the restrictions were and the guidelines,” Evans said, “So I do feel like we felt safe coming here.”
For Ethan, coming to the park has a different effect on how he sees the way that COVID has affected not just his summer, but the country as a whole.
“I’m more…” Ethan said. “When I’m here I don’t focus on it really.”
Instead, he focuses on what he comes to the park to do.
“At first I rode my scooter,” Ethan said. “Then now I brought my bike and this is my first time on my bike here.”
For Gomer, it’s thoughts like these that she hopes not just the YAP, but the other St. Charles County Parks can provide for the families that choose to visit them.
“We want to offer these fun things and experiences for guests to be able to enjoy,” Gomer said. “Through the whole thing, we’re trying to adapt and evolve and give the guests an experience in our parks without closing them. So since the get-go, we’ve been trying to keep our parks open and remain open during this whole pandemic.”
