Phelan Pinon Hills Community Services District Announces Limited Reopening of District Parks; Continued Office Closure

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Don Bartz, General Manager
(760) 868-1212

PHELAN, Calif. (April 28, 2020) – On April 25, 2020, the County of San Bernardino (“County”) reopened County operated parks, lakes, and trails on a limited scale for passive recreation. After careful consideration, the Phelan Pinon Hills Community Services District (“District”) will follow the County and reopen Phelan Park on a limited scale effective April 28, 2020.
 
Just like the County, the District requests that social distancing measures still take place outside of immediate households. Additionally, if you or anyone in your household are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms or have been exposed within 14 days, you should stay home and not visit the park. The park may be used for individual or household exercise, picnicking, and non-contact activities with members of your household only. The playground equipment will remain closed and group sports or gatherings are prohibited. Additionally, park restrooms, benches, and drinking fountains will remain closed so park users should plan accordingly. Pinon Hills Park will remain closed as it is undergoing repairs until mid-May.
 
“We encourage healthy individuals or households to visit the park. Residents may use the grass or walking paths at Phelan Park. Picnic benches and playground equipment will remain off limits at this time,” stated Don Bartz, the District’s General Manager. He continued, “Park visitors must still be mindful of social distancing requirements. If the park become too crowded, or social distancing isn’t being practiced, we may have to re-close the park.”
 
The District office will continue to remain closed to the public. Customers can still call the District office during normal business hours and can still access their accounts online. The District will waive any late fees and will not disconnect customers for nonpayment during this time. Additionally, the $2 credit card convenience fee is being waived for payments made online or over the phone until normal operations resume. A drop box is available for customers in the District parking lot and payments can still be mailed in. New customers are allowed to set up their accounts by phone and email. Field staff is still proceeding with field operations to continue to provide safe, reliable drinking water to District customers. The District will determine when to reopen the District lobby and community centers based on information provided from the State of California and the County. As of April 28, 2020, the District estimates the lobby will re-open to customers on May 18, 2020.
 
The District’s Farmers Market will continue to operate each Monday from 2pm-6pm. “Given the impact of Covid-19 on grocery stores at the moment, we have determined it is in the best interest of our residents to continue to have access to fresh produce and other goods.” Mr. Bartz continued, “Our ​market is operated outdoors so the exposure risk was determined to be less severe than that of a grocery store. District staff and market vendors will follow the new guidelines issued by the California Department of Public Health to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.”
 
The District will have a Board Meeting on May 6, 2020, in which members of the public can attend via Zoom or conference call. Information on how to attend the meeting remotely will be posted on the meeting agenda which can be found on the District’s website at www.pphcsd.org.
 
The following is a list of cancelled events and facility closures:
 
District Office Lobby                                     
Phelan Park (Re-opening on a limited scale April 28, 2020)                                                 
Pinon Hills Park (Closed for repairs until mid-May 2020)                                                     
Phelan Community Center                           
Phelan Senior Center                                                                                    
Pinon Hills Community Center
Pinon Hills Senior Center
District Events & Activities 

​For more information, contact PPHCSD staff at 760-868-1212