PONTIAC, Mich. (WXYZ) — Two Oakland County Parks and Recreation waterparks will not open in this year, the county said on Thursday.
The Red Oaks Waterpark in Madison Heights and Waterford Oaks Waterpark in Waterford will remain closed for all of 2020. Social distancing cannot be achieved at the water attractions.
“More importantly, we cannot guarantee the safety of our lifeguard staff which interacts very face-to-face and hands-on with swimmers who may be in distress,” Sue Wells, Manager of Park and Recreation Operations, said. “Decisions like these are very difficult to make and counterintuitive to parks and recreation professionals who are in a social business. But the health and safety of our guests and staff remains our top priority.”
Some attractions like the River Ride, a lazy river, are popular with swimmers who are inches from each other.
Wells said lifeguard staff also can't be put in position of being social distance monitoring police.
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