The village of Northbrook has prohibited residents from practicing group sports and holding exercise classes in an order effective immediately, President Sandy Frum said in a statement Thursday afternoon.
No one may gather to play close-contact group sports like basketball, soccer and football, or sports that use shared equipment like tennis, frisbee or baseball, the order states.
“We all know Governor Pritzker issued an executive order and people are supposed to shelter in place,” Frum said in a video posted to the village’s Facebook page. “Unfortunately, we have groups of residents of all ages who are not abiding by these rules.”
The order restricts residents from gathering “at or upon any public building or structure, public place or property, or public street or highway in the village,” to practice group sports or for group exercise programs like running, bicycling or exercising together.
However, the order doesn’t apply to members of the same household, Frum said. A household is a group of people who live together full-time, including those who are not related, and use the same “cooking, eating and sanitation facilities,” according to the order.
“These are unsettling times,” Frum said in the video. “In these difficult times, we need to sometimes make difficult decisions. But remember, you can make a difference. Stay home. Be safe.”
Northbrook police Chief Roger Adkins said “most of the community” has been well-informed about social distancing and complied with the recommendations and shelter-in-place order, but “a few people” have continued to gather.
“The other day, it was a very nice day and the parks were fulfilled,” Adkins said. “There is a way to use our parks, but continue to follow the social distancing that is recommended.”
If a resident calls the department to report that people are gathering in violation of the order, if patrol officers see people gathering, they will remind residents about the order.
Adkins said the village is “looking for, first and foremost, voluntary compliance.”
When asked if residents would be ticketed, Adkins said: “If necessary, it’s a case by case basis.”
Residents have complied when officers have spoken to them about maintaining distance from others, and he said he sees police as educating the public about the order and why it’s necessary.
“We’re kind of the messenger, if you will … we have that first contact with the public so kind of falls on us to to inform and educate,” Adkins said.
In Glenview, the Park District closed access to additional park amenities, according to a statement from the village released Friday. Trails and parks are still open, but all tennis courts, basketball courts, playgrounds facilities, outdoor fitness equipment areas and skate parks are closed. The facilities and field houses also remain closed, officials said.
Concerned residents have contacted the village and Park District to report group gatherings at parks, village officials said.
“It is clear that many people are not adhering to the physical distancing guidelines mandated by the state, and we must take action to protect everyone’s health and safety,” village staff said in the statement.
The Community Bark West Dog Park, on Zenith Drive, is now closed, as is Historic Wagner Farm and Tyner Interpretive Center Outdoor Exhibits. The Grove is only open to pedestrians, and parking lots and drives will be closed. Park District spokeswoman Jena Johnson encouraged residents to visit parks “close to home” rather than driving to areas farther away, so that “we can have a better control on being able to be physically distant while on those trails.”
Most of the facilities have already been closed, but staff is trying to make it clear to residents what is allowed and what is not, Johnson said. Park District staff roped off playgrounds, added signs, and removed swings and basketball rims, according to Johnson.
“We really want people to be able to use our parks, we want people to continue being able to have access to outdoor spaces for their mental health and exercise,” Johnson said. “We just want to make sure everyone is doing it in a safe way.”
Police will be asked to disperse groups of people exercising together or playing close-contact group sports, taccording to the statement.
Johnson suggested that residents distance themselves from other people in the park by stepping aside to let them pass safely, or alerting them when passing from behind by announcing “on your left” or “on your right” so they can move a farther distance away.
“When you’re walking on a trail or in a park, the best tip is to make sure people are aware of your presence,” Johnson said.
akim@chicagotribune.com
