Key Westers enjoy open parks and beaches as City Manager releases new Emergency Directive

BY TERRY SCHMIDA

KONK LIFE STAFF WRITER

As cooped up Key West residents stretched their legs in parks and beaches for the first time in weeks City Manager Greg Veliz released Emergency Directive 2020-06 in an email April 27, to update the public on some ground rules; and to ask for continued cooperation in what has been a confusing task for all.

“Although we are currently under a restrictive order as it pertains to businesses, we do understand the need to begin to allow our residents to resume some sense of normalcy while exercising personal responsibility and social distancing,” Veliz wrote in an email introducing the new Directive. “To that end, effective Monday, April 27, 2020, the City of Key West will be opening its parks, beaches, and recreational facilities to local residents. While playgrounds and water features will remain closed for now, we hope that by easing some restrictions on public space, our residents can enjoy the natural environment Key West has to offer.”

The move comes as the City Commission Veliz and other City employees attempt to respond to pressure from small business owners, ordinary citizens, and the Health Department Administrator in Monroe County, Bob Eadie. The latter has made known his preference for a go-slow approach in the press and public meetings for some time. In the County and State governments, public officials are wrestling with many of the same issues. On April 21 a County directive made clear that Monroe will not be opening to visitors before the end of May, and could remain closed longer, subject to the current status of the virus in the community.

Today’s Key West declaration contains similar language, and Veliz sought to stress the city’s commitment to existing health and safety protocols. He also took pains in the email to assure the public of greater transparency. The email offered assurance that the office is doing its best to navigate an unprecedented situation in Key West’s modern history in the future.

“For the past couple of weeks, the City of Key West has been working with local businesses to develop an outlook for our resilient recovery,” Veliz wrote. “Often, although staff is working feverishly, we fall short in relaying these efforts to our citizens. In troubling times, we must do better communicating and reassuring citizens that your City government is moving to restart our economy in a responsible manner.”

District 2 City Commissioner (and Vice-Mayor) Sam Kaufman welcomed the directive.

“I heard [Veliz] saying that masks are the new seatbelts,” Kaufman said of the document’s “emphasis on social distancing, and a gradual reopening with strict safety and health measures in place.”

“Splash path” kids’ water features won’t be opened yet, nor will Nelson English or Cortez parks, which Kaufman called similar to playgrounds.

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