FEBRUARY 28th AMENDMENT
Dear Patrons,
Effective Monday, February 28, Park District of Oak Park will no longer require proof of vaccination or masks to participate in our programs or enter our facilities. This includes all individuals, regardless of age, who participate in programs, events, or activities as well as visitors and spectators.
On Friday, February 25, the Oak Park Department of Public Health issued a new Public Health Order rescinding the order dated December 31, 2021 requiring proof of vaccination and face coverings in public spaces. As a result:
- Park District staff will no longer check the vaccination status of patrons or obtain a negative Covid test from patrons upon entering our facilities.
- Face coverings in our facilities are optional for patrons and visitors with the following exceptions:
- Preschool Programs – A face mask mandate remains in place for our preschool, playschool and Pre-K. All participants must wear a face mask while attending this program, including staff who work in these programs.
- Clubhouse Afterschool Programs – In alignment with D97, all Clubhouse program participants must wear a face mask while indoors for this program, including staff who work in this program.
Please note, while masking is no longer required indoors, it remains optional for individuals who feel comfortable in doing so. It is likely many individuals will continue to wear face coverings for a variety of reasons, including comfort, vaccination status, and personal or family health status. Park District staff will respect and accept all individual preferences with regard to face coverings.
Thank you for your continued support during these unprecedented times.
JANUARY 12th AMENDMENT
Dear Patrons,
Asnesday, January 12, 2022, the Oak Park Public Health Department issued two amendments to its Proof of Vaccination in Public Places order.
On January 6, an exemption was added to the order for newly turning 5-year-old children allowing them to participate in recreation programming while they are getting vaccinated:
Any individual who attains five (5) years of age on or after the effective date of the Order (January 6, 2022) shall be entitled to a grace period of six (6) weeks to allow time for the individual to become fully‐vaccinated
On January 12, a new amendment was added allowing individuals 18 years of age or younger to participate in youth athletics/programs under certain conditions:
Any individual eighteen (18) years of age or younger can participate in youth athletics or recreation if they provide either a vaccination card OR a negative COVID‐19 test administered at a proctored facility (non‐at‐home test) within forty‐eight (48) hours before participating.
The Park District of Oak Park staff will continue the protocols already in place per the Health Department order which includes confirming vaccination status prior to entering our facilities with the following changes:
Thank you for your patience and grace as we navigate these new Covid-19 mitigations.
Stay safe,
Jan Arnold, Executive Director
INITIAL NOTICE
Dear Park District Patrons,
On Thursday, December 30, 2021 the Oak Park Public Health Department issued an ordinance mandating proof of vaccination in public places including health, fitness, and recreation centers effective Monday, January 10, 2022. That said, any individual over the age of 5 will be required to show proof that they are fully vaccinated before entering any Park District facility. This includes participants and/or spectators of a class, program, or event held inside. Indoor masking is still a requirement and is included in this order.
Beginning Monday, January 10, Park District of Oak Park staff will be confirming proof of vaccination for all class participants, spectators, and visitors prior to allowing entry into the program space.
Proof of Vaccination means:
• A CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Card; or
• An official immunization record from the jurisdiction, state, or country where the vaccine was administered; or
• An ‘app’ that provides a digital record of vaccinations; or
• A digital or physical photo of such a card or record that includes the individual’s name, the vaccine brand administered, and the date the vaccination was administered.
Identification to accompany vaccine proof:
• For those age 16 and older, identification must accompany vaccination proof. Identification includes a driver’s license, government ID, passport, work or school identification card, etc. that corresponds to the vaccination proof.
What constitutes fully vaccinated:
• Two weeks after their second does in a 2-dose series: Pfizer or Moderna Vaccines, OR
• Two weeks after a single dose series: Johnson & Johnson
Exemptions to this order:
• Preschools and childcare centers, which include our 2 and 3-day Preschool offerings and Clubhouse Afterschool participants.
• Those who are medically unable to receive vaccination, for any reason, if they:
(1) show proof of the exemption from a medical provider, AND
(2) show proof of a negative COVID test within 24 hours of coming into any facility. This includes providing a NEW negative Covid-19 test from a medical professional, indicating the test date and results. Please note: at-home tests are not accepted.
•Caregivers dropping children off for participation who will be in our facility less than 10 minutes.
Masks and physical distancing when possible are still required indoors:
• Masks are required indoors for any person age two or older that can medically tolerate it (regardless of vaccination status). This applies to all indoor activities and sports participants, including children, parents, coaches, officials, athletes of all ages, & spectators without exceptions.
• Physical distancing of six feet or more is required when feasible.
Helpful Tips:
✓ Have Proof of Vaccination on hand: The Park District of Oak Park will not be collecting or maintaining records of vaccination status. Park District staff will be checking vaccination status each time an individual enters a building.
✓ Have medical exemptions and testing results met before every session of a class, program, or event: This includes a NEW negative Covid-19 test 24 hours before every session of a class, program, or event.
✓ Please stay home if you are feeling sick or are experiencing any Covid-19 symptoms in order to reduce community spread.
✓ Please note that food is not permitted at this time in any of our facilities.
✓ Water/Water bottles are the only drink permitted in our facilities.
✓ Please continue to follow updates on our website, social media, and through email.
✓ Feel free to contact us with questions:
Kelsey Tumpane
PDOP Risk Manager
Ann Marie Buczek
Communication & Community Engagement Manager
The Park District of Oak Park is committed to servicing the needs of our patrons. If you or a member of your household are unable to participate in a program due to this Oak Park Health Department ordinance, please contact Customer Service who will assist you in canceling your participation and providing a program fee refund. Please email us info@pdop.org with the program/activity name, participant name, and whether you prefer a refund or Park District account credit and we will process accordingly.
We sincerely appreciate your cooperation, understanding and patience, and we look forward to providing safe and healthy programs and services for the Oak Park Community.
Stay Healthy,
Jan Arnold, Executive Director
RESOURCES
Resources and information from the Community Mental Health Board
- Resources
- To speak with other staff members regarding a program or facility question, please access our staff directory.
- Village of Oak Park’s actions to address the Coronavirus
- We encourage the public to follow social distancing guidelines.
- CDC guidelines about when and where to wear masks
- Residents are welcomed to walk park paths following social distancing guidelines.
- CMHB Resource Guide
- Intellectural/Developmental Disability Consortium Resource Guide
- Illinois COVID-19 FAQs
- COVID-19 Know the Facts from the CDC
