Following months of restricted activities, local towns are rolling back limits on the use of parks and recreation facilities.

Cities closed down many of their park facilities in March during the initial outbreak of COVID-19. That included stopping pavilion rentals, canceling sports activities and taping off playgrounds. But following Governor Mike Parson’s announcement that statewide restrictions would be lifted June 16, city governments have been following suit.

In Warrenton, all public park features are once again available to the public except for playgrounds.

“The playgrounds will remain closed for some period of time. We’ll look at those again at the end of June,” said City Administrator Terri Thorn. “Because there is no ability whatsoever to sanitize or disinfect playground facilities with children climbing all over, we feel that will be one of the last things we will consider for reopening.

Thorn said park pavilion rentals have a new liability waiver requirement. Anyone renting a pavilion must acknowledge that there is a risk of contracting COVID-19 by attending functions at the pavilion, and release the city from any liability if that happens, Thorn said.

The sports fields at Warrenton’s Athletic Complex on Hickory Lick Road have also reopened, Thorn said, although youth league games have already been canceled by organizers for this summer. Starting in August, a full range of sport leagues will play at the fields, she added.

Warrenton’s Aquatic Center, which has been operating with a strict limit on capacity, is loosening restrictions this month, said Aquatics Director Lisa Kramer. The pool facility will remain open to members only, but will allow a wider range of activities, Kramer said.

The Aquatic Center is also resuming water fitness classes two days a week, Kramer said, and plans to resume swim lessons in July.

“We’re going to try to move to a reservation system for recreational swim,” Kramer commented. The pool had only been allowing fitness activities.

In Wright City, Parks Director Josh Cole said the city is resuming pavilion rentals.

“Residents have been very patient with us, and have been very good about observing the rules in the park,” Cole commented at a June 11 city meeting. “I’m excited to see people using our facilities that have just kind of been sitting there.”

Cole said weekend pavilion reservations filled up quickly after rentals reopened.

The Wil Heiliger Building in Diekroeger Park also reopened to rentals this week.

Wright City park playgrounds have reopened to public use, but are clearly marked with signs stating the equipment is not sanitized and users assume their own risk.

The city of Marthasville has not yet determined whether to resume renting its park pavilions. The topic is among several ongoing discussions by the city’s board of aldermen, who postponed their regular monthly meeting until June 24.