I feel compelled to write this email tonight because it has come to my attention that our pickleball play at different venues has become somewhat lax and complacent. PLEASE keep in mind that COVID is alive and well. We should respect Summit County's Phase 2 Public Health Order.
As our precious and valued members and visitors come to Summit from some of the highest spiking states (Arizona, Texas and Florida), we need to stay vigilant with our safe practices so that we may continue to play pickleball throughout the summer.
With that said:
Play with ONE ball on each court, preferably cleaning the ball with Clorox wipe between games. Balls should be marked with your initials.
Return errant balls to the appropriate court via foot or paddle push.
Have a mask available between games, while waiting for the next game and when it’s not possible to social distance.
Maintain proper social distance (6 feet apart) while waiting or observing play between games. That includes spreading out your chairs and using only your personal chair. Do not congregate. Place personal items a safe distance apart.
DO NOT touch other people’s paddles.
Bring and use hand sanitizer between games and when finished for the day.
No handshakes, paddle bumps or physical contact between players.
As a Nation divided right now on social distancing and the wearing of masks, please be respectful of others' desire to remain as safe as possible, even if their precautions might seem excessive to you.
Let's try to spread ourselves out. Summit County's health order currently prohibits more than 25 people within a fenced set of courts. Please consider starting your day at Dillon Town Park or Carter Park, both of which have more unused capacity than Frisco middle school, or reserving a court in advance at Trent Park. If you see numbers approaching 25 at any venue, please move to a different location or wait for current players to leave.
Also realize that, while Frisco middle school has evolved naturally into “open play," the town of Silverthorne had designated Trent private-games-only and Dillon, which is all first-come-first-served this year, will likely end up a mix of private games and Frisco-like open play.
Please don't be offended if a 4-some or 5-some sets up on a Dillon court and doesn't invite you or others to share that court for open play. Often they'll just be trying to minimize the number of households they're exposed to.
This is a difficult time for all of us as we navigate these trying and “different” times. Open play as we knew it will hopefully return in the future, but until then, let’s make the best of it, keeping each other safe and being KIND. Let’s all help reinforce the guidelines. We do not want to lose our privileges of playing pickleball in Summit County.
