City park pools and splash pads to stay closed, mayor says

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- All Houston pools and splash pads at city parks will remain closed ahead of the holiday weekend, Mayor Sylvester Turner announced.

In a briefing on Thursday, Turner said the city will not be opening 38 swimming pools as the city traditionally does on Memorial Day weekend.

"Because of the health crisis this year, I've asked [the city's parks and recreation department] to keep swimming pools closed. I know this decision will disappoint some families, but it's the responsible thing for the city to do."

Turner also said 27 of the splash pads found at some city parks will also be closed.

The city's director of parks and recreation, Steve Wright, said park monitors will be out enforcing social distancing guidelines ahead of the busy weekend.

"This is something that all of us, as Houstonians, we need to embrace and understand that our actions affect the lives and actions of others as well," he said. "This is a social responsibility issue."

Wright also announced the city-owned golf courses located in Memorial, Sharpstown and Melrose will reopen for play, with restrictions, on June 1.

Plus, the tennis complexes at Memorial, Homer Ford and the Lee LeClear Tennis & Learning Center are also on the list.

Turner announced 141 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the city's total count to 6,188. The death toll is now 123, including four new deaths.

During the briefing, Turner also took time to address the extension of Harris County's "Stay Home, Work Safe" order issued by Judge Lina Hidalgo.

It's expected to last until June 10.

"The city of Houston has extended its order," said Turner. "We simply adopted the governor's order, so it runs right in alignment with the governor's order, and the county pretty much did the same thing."

READ MORE: Harris County Judge extends stay-at-home order to June 10