Cape Coral votes to reopen more public places with social distancing

In a matter of hours, Cape Coral takes another step toward some form of normalcy.

Yacht Club Public Beach, tennis and pickleball courts at some parks and Rotary Park’s dog park all reopen in Cape Coral Tuesday.

The public will be free to use the beach at Yacht Club, but playgrounds and pavilions will remain closed. And staff will monitor for social distancing.

Members of the public went on record and asked the city why its beaches had not reopened like many throughout Southwest Florida.

And Cape Coral answered with council giving a unanimous vote to open Yacht Club Public Beach, tennis and pickleball courts at some city parks, as well as the Rotary Park’s dog park.

It’s music to neighbors’ ears.

“It’s something really good to be outside of the house,” neighbor Vincent Buenfil said. “You cannot be all the time inside to yourself.”

But it’s not without restrictions. Yacht Club will open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tennis and pickleball courts at Camelot Park, Joe Stonis Park, Burton Park, and Jim Jeffers Park will reopen with up to four players allowed on each court, with no spectators permitted.

Yacht Club tennis courts will open with restrictions from 8 a.m. to noon.

Rotary dog park will reopen with no public seating available.

Even with all of the restrictions, Buenfil says he thinks this is still what’s best for the community

“I think it’s great that they opened,” Buenfil said. “It’s good for people to get out, and everybody knows what’s the boundaries.”

And he says he’ll bring his kids to the Yacht Club’s facilities Tuesday.

Some athletic fields in Cape Coral will also reopen on May 12.

MORE: Latest Cape Coral Parks and Rec Memo