Parks and Recreation

Using City of Oneonta Parks 

Getting outdoors to walk, jog, hike, or visit a park is a healthy way to stay active, spend time with immediate household and family members, and reduce stress and anxiety when practicing social distancing. That said, our primary concern is the safety and well-being of our guests and staff and, to that end, the City of Oneonta has adopted the following guidance to assist those who wish to visit one of our parks. 

Face Coverings: 
In accordance with CDC and NYS guidelines, fully vaccinated individuals are not required to wear masks while inside City buildings and facilities and are not required to maintain physical distance. Unvaccinated individuals are required to wear masks at all times and must maintain a minimum of 6’ physical distance.

For further clarification, certain specific park uses, effective at the time of this writing, are listed as follows: 

Pavilions: 
Pavilions are not to be used without a permit. Contact the City Clerk to rent a park pavilion. 

Playgrounds:
Playgrounds will be open. Parents and guardians choosing to allow children to use playground equipment are asked to follow these guidelines: 

• Do not visit if you are sick; have tested positive and are in mandatory isolation as directed by the appropriate health department or are awaiting contact from the health department regarding a recent positive test result; or if you have had close contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID19 and are under mandatory or precautionary quarantine as directed by the health department or are awaiting guidance from the health department following a known close contact with someone who has tested positive. 

• Do not use the playground if it appears crowded.

• Do maintain at least six feet social distance from people you don’t live with or who are not a part of your “pod”. 

• Do bring and use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Athletic Fields & Courts: 

• Baseball, softball, and soccer fields will be available for permitted uses only. Contact the Recreation Department to rent a field. 

• Tennis and pickleball courts will be available for use. 

• Basketball and volleyball courts will remain closed until further notice. 

Skate Park: 

• The skate park will be available for use. 

Trails: 

• Pedestrian and bicycle trails will be available for use. 

Wilber Park Pool
The Wilber Park pool will be closing for the season on August 29, 2021.  The final weekend to swim will be Friday, August 27 - Sunday, August 29, 2021 from 1:00pm to 6:45pm.

For more information call the Wilber Park Pool at (607) 433-1500

Restrooms: 

• Public restrooms will be open but may, at times, be limited. Visitors should plan accordingly. 

While enjoying our outdoor spaces, please continue to follow the CDC/NYS DOH's guidelines for preventing the spread of colds, flu, and COVID-19: 

• Do not visit if you are sick; have tested positive and are in mandatory isolation as directed by the appropriate health department or are awaiting contact from the health department regarding a recent positive test result; or if you have had close contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID19 and are under mandatory or precautionary quarantine as directed by the health department or are awaiting guidance from the health department following a known close contact with someone who has tested positive. 

• Practice social distancing by keeping at least six (6) feet of distance between yourself and others, even when outdoors.

• Avoid close contact, such as shaking hands, hugging, or high-fives.

• Wash hands often or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when soap and water are not available.

• Avoid unnecessary contact with surfaces that are often touched, such as doorknobs and handrails. 

The City of Oneonta also requires visitors to our parks to: 

• Use common sense when visiting the outdoors. Stay local within your home area because some amenities like public restrooms and restaurants may not be open or available. 

• Visit in small groups limited to family members, members of your own household or those in your established “pod” of close contacts. Maintain a distance from others while in places where people tend to congregate. 

• Do not share equipment, such as bicycles, helmets, binoculars, balls, or Frisbees. 

• Practice 'Leave No Trace.' Respect our parks by taking out whatever you bring in, including disposable gloves, wipes, masks, and toilet paper. 

• In order to facilitate social distancing picnic tables will be placed at least 6 feet apart from one another and may not be moved. A maximum number of 6 people should be at each table and this grouping should be limited to family members or those in your established "pod" of close contacts. 

• Pavilion permittees must abide by all state and local regulations regarding mask use, social distancing and limitations on large group gatherings that are in effect at the time of their event. 

• In accordance with CDC and NYS guidelines, fully vaccinated individuals are not required to wear masks while inside City buildings and facilities and are not required to maintain physical distance. Unvaccinated individuals are required to wear masks at all times and must maintain a minimum of 6’ physical distance.

• Abide by any and all travel advisories currently in effect. Out of state visitors must follow all current guidelines for quarantine per the New York State Travel Advisory. Visit https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/covid-19-traveladvisory for more information on the advisory.