HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The City of Hutchinson is set to reopen the following facilities to the public on Monday, June 1:
• City Hall, 125 E. Ave. B
• Parks and Facilities Office, 1600 S. Elm St.
• Hutchinson Animal Shelter, 1501 S. Severance
• Public Works Building, 1500 S. Plum
• Homebuilders Shelter, 2 Emerson Loop
• Rice Park Community Building, 44 Swarens
• Hutchinson Zoo Educational Building, 6 Emerson Loop
• Memorial Hall, 101 S. Walnut
• The Hutchinson Sports Arena, 720 E. 11th Ave.
Residents are encouraged to continue to use online options whenever possible for paying bills, applying for permits, watching council meetings, etc.
Both staff and visitors are asked to observe good hygiene and social distancing guidelines. The city also asks that no one enters or uses city facilities who has a fever or is exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19. Those entering public buildings are encouraged to wear cloth face coverings or masks, particularly when social distancing may be hard to maintain. Due to limited availability, the public is encouraged to bring their own, however, masks will be made available for those who need them.
Council and Committee Meetings
In-person City Council meetings will once again open to the public on June 2. With the limited space in the Council Chamber, it is recommended that those who do not wish to address the council or have an item on the agenda watch the meetings live on cable channel 7, YouTube or Facebook. To maintain social distancing, some people may be asked to wait in the lobby for their turn to speak.
Advisory Committees may resume in-person meetings at the discretion of the chair while continuing to follow social distancing guidelines and good hygiene. If a meeting is being held remotely, the call-in information will be made available at hutchgov.com in accordance with the Kansas Open Meetings Act for those who wish to observe.
Rental Facilities
Rental facilities, including the Homebuilders Shelter, Rice Park Community Building and the Hutchinson Zoo Educational Building, are once again available to reserve. Those planning large gatherings of 100 people or more are expected to work with the Reno County Health Department on a plan to maintain safe social distancing. Memorial Hall will be closing for the season June 8, but it is anticipated to reopen in the fall.
Parks, Trails and Playgrounds
Parks and trails have remained open to the public throughout the pandemic to encourage healthy activity and getting outdoors. Playgrounds and splash pads opened back up on May 22, just in time for the three-day weekend.
Carey Park Golf Course and the Hutchinson Zoo are already open, both with restrictions. The public can expect to see those restrictions continue to loosen in the coming days.