Columbus Parks and Recreation Department reserves the right to close courts if we deem necessary due to individuals not respecting guidelines established as indicated below.
Court/Facility Rules
- Courts are open for casual play and will contain structured programs
- Social distancing of 6 foot by all individuals in the complex EXCEPT those that have been quarantined in the same household.
- Face coverings are highly recommended when you cannot practice social distancing of 6 feet.
- Do NOT come to the complex if you:
- Have COVID-19 symptoms, which include a cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell.
- Have been in contact with anyone that has had COVID-19 within the past 2 weeks.
- Are a high-risk individual and your local health and government officials are directing you to stay home (high-risk individuals include those 65+ and people with serious underlying health conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and illnesses that compromise breathing or the immune system).
- Abide by the maximum social gathering sizes WHILE ensuring your are practicing social distancing (it is not an either or)
- Wash your hands and use sanitizer, both frequently. Individuals should bring their own hand sanitizer.
- Use the restroom before leaving home
- Bring your own water or alternate hydration bottle
- Sneeze or cough only into a tissue or your elbow
- Limit your time at the facility so that you arrive just before you event begins to decrease gatherings
- Avoid touching frequently used surfaces such as water fountains, gates, fences, nets, benches, handles, bathrooms/fixtures, etc.
- Shower and wash and change your clothes immediately upon returning home
- Do NOT come to the courts if you:
- Have COVID-19 symptoms, which include a cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell.
- Have been in contact with anyone that has had COVID-19 within the past 2 weeks.
- Are a high-risk individual and your local health and government officials are directing you to stay home (High-risk individuals include those 65+ and people with serious underlying health conditions including diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and illnesses that compromise breathing or the immune system.).
- Tennis equipment should be touched only by the pro/coach and should be cleaned frequently. Use alcohol-based disinfectant to clean all tennis gear, including racquets, towels, target cones, ball machines, etc.
Program Rules (adults, youth and any permitted users must follow these guidelines)
- Use every second court where practical.
- Players should stay on their side of court and avoid changing ends.
- Recommend that only one parent/guardian accompany younger children to the facility when possible.
- Position the players at well-spaced stations.
- Live ball drills and game-based play is recommended over using baskets.
- Limit the use of coaching equipment such as target cones.
- Don’t let the players handle any coaching equipment. The coach should pick up the balls.
- Encourage players to use their racquet/foot to push balls back and/or hit them to their opponent to avoid using hands and touching the balls.
- Practice caution with the tennis balls and avoid letting the participants touch them. Although there is no specific evidence that tennis balls can spread COVID-19, we know that contamination by respiratory droplets from an infected person can potentially survive on hard surfaces up to three days.
- Try to restrict balls to a particular group, court or day of the week. One idea is to label them with a permanent marker.
- Replace all balls if someone suspected to have COVID-19 comes in contact with them.
- Consider spraying tennis balls briefly with a disinfectant spray (e.g., Lysol or Clorox) at the conclusion of play. Using new balls on a very regular basis is highly encouraged.
- Using a ball machine is a great option for giving lessons, as it avoids having people touch the balls. Using ball tubes and basket pickups to pick up loose balls after a ball machine rotation also limits contact.
- We have limited activities to casual court rental, one-on-one coaching, small groups and private lessons.
- We have stagger booking times to create a buffer between sessions.
For more information about changes in game play for tennis, please visit the below listed National or State Governing organization. We are abiding by and requiring our user groups who use the complex, to abide by these National and/or State (whichever is more stringent) organization guidelines for return to play.
- Tennis – Please visit USTA Playing Tennis Safely: Facility and Programming Recommendations
- Tennis – Please visit USTA Playing Tennis Safely: Player Tips and Recommendations