LaredoBuzz.Com

Courtesy Noraida Negron,

Laredo, TEXAS – The City of Laredo Parks & Recreation Department would like to remind the community of what is allowed and what is not at City parks, to ensure the safety of all during the holiday weekend.

All citizens are required to:

1) Wear a face mask when not eating or drinking.

2) Gather in small groups within your family.

3) Frequently clean touched surfaces

4) Practice social distancing. Park hours are from 6:00 am – 11:00 pm.

Following these Do’s & Don’t rules will help maintain the parks and everyone safe.

Some of the DO’s include:

• Pick-up and dispose of trash properly.

• Whether families pack sandwiches, bring pizzas or decide to grill on site, either is allowed. Plates, napkins, cups, sodas, water bottles, candy, cakes, cookies etc., are welcome. Just make sure to leave the area clean, and that all trash is placed in the proper bin, or in a trash bag.

• Carry additional trash bags when visiting a local park

• Park your vehicles only in designated areas

• Extinguish all ashes – Do not place ashes in trash bins or on grass

• Bring additional gallons of water to properly extinguish any hot coals

• Have your dog(s) on a leash—for the safety of others and your pet.

• Follow FCC rules for Drone Flying at any City Park.

The list of Don’ts includes:

• No overnight camping at any City park.

• Park hours are from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. No one is allowed to spend the night with pets or belongings to reserve a spot. No tying coolers, chairs and other such items to any park picnic tables.

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• Picnic areas are on a first come, first serve basis, starting at 6:00 a.m. All property left in the park overnight will be considered abandoned and be subject to removal by City park personnel. All pavilions will be closed.

• No trailer barbeque pits or ATVS or any other motorize vehicle(s) allowed in the parks.

• The trailer pits not only tear up the park landscape, they also ruin the irrigation system at the parks. ATVs and other motorized vehicles also cause the same problems for the landscaping and irrigation system and can also be a hazard with the crowds at the park.

• No open flames or camp fire cooking on ground is allowed.

• Some like to barbeque with wood and build a fire that they then transfer to the pit and it ruins the grass. All fires must be contained to the grills only.

• No alcohol is allowed in the parks.

• No smoking is allowed.

• Absolutely no vending without a special events permit is allowed.

Only permitted vendors, those who have purchased the appropriate City of Laredo Parks Department special events permit, and more importantly, the City of Laredo Health Department Food Handlers’ Permit can sell. This is to avoid any food-borne illnesses from spreading. If in doubt, ask the vendor for a copy of their permit. Approved vendors should always carry their permits.

Additionally, the City of Laredo Parks and Recreation Department and the Laredo Police Department will be working hard to prevent vandalism during this holiday weekend and beyond.

Several City parks are equipped with cameras, City parks police division will be patrolling the and monitoring to catch any violators who wish to take advantage of the holiday break and cause mischief and destructions at the parks.