County Parks, Golf Courses Reopen As Health Restrictions Loosen, But Rose Bowl Loop Remains Closed

With Safer At Home restrictions imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic being slowly loosened, Los Angeles County parks and many area trails will reopen Saturday, although in Pasadena the popular Rose Bowl loop and city hiking trails remain closed.

The Pasadena City Council will consider reopening the Loop and other recreational sites on Monday.

County hiking trails will reopen, although County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said staff will be deployed to ensure people are adhering to social-distancing requirements, and all hikers over age 2 will be required to wear face coverings.

County parks officials urged residents not to visit trails if they are sick or exhibiting any sign of illness. People who do hike on the trails should do so only with members of their household, and hikers should bring water, hand-sanitizer and/or disinfecting wipes, park officials said.

Los Angeles city trails and trailheads will reopen Saturday.

County golf courses will also reopen, as did Pasadena’s Brookside Golf Club on Friday, but according to the county, pro shops will remain closed, and golf course restaurants will be restricted to carry-out service only.

The county announced a series of restrictions for golfers:

• No more than four players per tee time.

• Tee times will be at least 10 minutes apart.

• Tournaments or group play will not be allowed.

• Physical distancing of six feet will be required.

• Golf courses will accept payment online only by debit, credit or gift card.

• Pushcarts and walking are recommended because golf carts will be limited to single riders.

• Rental golf clubs and push carts will not be available.

• Drinking fountains will be closed.

Also, according to a county statement, golfers may not touch, remove or adjust the flag stick, green cups may not be touched, and rakes, ball washers, benches and sand bottles will be removed. Driving ranges will be open but practice putting greens and chipping practice areas remain closed.

County parks were originally expected to be closed for Mother’s Day on Sunday, but they will now remain open, although large gatherings will be prohibited and social-distancing mandates will be in effect.

The parks will be open for “passive use, such as walking, jogging and leisure time outdoors for individuals or families.”

“Since the holiday is one of the busiest days of the year, L.A. County Parks reminds all park guests that social distancing is required and group gatherings are prohibited by the health order,” according to the department.

The county’s four botanical gardens — the county Arboretum and Botanic Garden, the South Coast Botanic Garden, Descanso Gardens and Virginia Robinson Gardens — will all be closed on Sunday.

All beaches in the county remain off-limits, although planning is continuing for a possible reopening by late next week. Long Beach will reopen its beach walking/bike paths on Monday, although the beaches themselves will remain closed.