By Greg Ellison

(June 18, 2020) Following the most recent easing of state level covid-19 restrictions, the Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department has reopened White Horse Park amenities and is set to begin summer camp, with health mandates in place, on Monday.

Recreation and Parks Director Debbie Donahue reported last Wednesday that Gov. Larry Hogan expanded the list of permissible activities staring this Friday at 5 p.m.

“White Horse Park opened yesterday morning and the skate park,” she said. “Manklin Meadows Park was opened late yesterday afternoon.”

State mandates regarding social distancing remain in place.

“There are Maryland-issued covid signs that are posted, as well as play-at-your-own-risk-type signs,” she said.

Other safety protocols enacted include hand-sanitizing stations at all recreation locations.

The most recent changes permit class capacities to be expanded from 10 to 15 people.

“We’re still limiting the numbers in classes, but all classes right now are outside still,” she said.

The same limitations will be in place for summer camp beginning on Monday.

“Right now summer camp will start on June 22 and we’ll have all of the rooms in the recreation department, as well as outside in the park,” she said. “They have to be separated and each group has to have a room.”

The summer camp agenda will not include field trips this season because of the space requirements of social distancing.

Donahue said although the playground and skate park in White Horse Park are now open, safety requirements remain in place.

“All visitors must practice social distancing when possible, as well as practice proper hand hygiene when entering and exiting the parks and all outdoor areas,” she said.

For now, restrooms in White Horse Park will remain closed.

In addition to tai chi and Zumba classes currently offered in the White Horse Park Pavilion on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings respectively, also launching this week is the beach body-boarding camp that started this Tuesday in Ocean City.

“It is in Ocean City on the water with the surf instructor,” she said.

Tai chi classes run each Tuesday starting at 9:30 a.m. in the pavilion through July 21. Zumba is being held at the same location on Wednesdays starting at 8:30 a.m. until July 29.

The surf classes are set to meet this Tuesday –Thursday, with additional sessions on July 7-9, July 21-23 and Aug. 4-6.

Donahue said the recreation department is continuing to monitor state directives and will post future updates as they arise.

Fourth of July fireworks have been postponed, with a new date still to be determined.

To register for outdoor summer classes, call Katie Goetzinger at 410-641-7052.

For more information or questions, contact the Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks Department at 410-641-7052, email rec@oceanpines.org, or visit www.oceanpines.org/web/pages/recreation-parks.