SoCal Playgrounds Are Reopening -- Here's Where

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Updated Oct. 12 at 11:15 a.m.

Outdoor playgrounds throughout the state can reopen, according to the California Department of Public Health, but that doesn't mean all of them have.

One of our readers asked if we could keep track of what's open and what's not.

We started with the counties and the largest cities in the greater L.A. metro area. All the information below is from their websites and/or phone calls and emails with officials.

We'll post updates as we get them- and you can help us tell the story by telling us what you're seeing in your neighborhood using the box at the bottom of this story.

Visitors to any of these parks should follow the state's guidelines for playing safe:

• Wear a mask if you're 2 years and older.
• Stay six feet apart from people from other households.
• No eating or drinking, so face masks stay on.
• Wash hands before and after visiting the playground.
• Plan ahead and visit when you can avoid crowds.
• Stay home if you're elderly or have an underlying medical condition.
• Share: To prevent crowding limit your visit to 30 minutes when other people are waiting to play.

When a city or county has additional rules, we've linked to them in the "more info" section.
Also: The state is telling cities and counties they should "increase cleaning of frequently touched surfaces [at playgrounds], daily as practicable."

L.A. County

Playgrounds open? Yes

A few key details:

• Playgrounds at county parks reopened the week of Oct. 8.
• The county has created a "Virtual Recreation Center" with PE classes, cheer camp and sports activities people can do from home.
• Splash Pads are open. Visitors over 2 years old must wear masks and everyone must stay six feet apart.
• More info from the county here

Orange County

Playgrounds open? Yes.

A few key details:

• Orange County playgrounds reopened Oct. 1.
• More info from the county here.

Riverside County

Playgrounds open? No.

A few key details:

• The splash pads at Rancho Jurupa Regional Park and the Lake Skinner Recreation Area are open, but the playground at Hurkey Creek Park remains closed.
• More info from the county here

San Bernardino County

Playgrounds open? No.

A few key details:

• San Bernardino County parks are open for hiking, fishing, kayaking and camping.
• Playgrounds, water slides and picnic shelters are still closed. Splash pads are open with the exception of the Lake Gregory location which is closed for repairs.
• More info from the county here

Ventura County

Playgrounds open? Yes

A few key details:

• The county updated its website with information about playgrounds reopening on Sept. 30.
• More info from the county here

Kids: 1 Caution tape: 0. As seen Oct. 1 at L.A.'s Sycamore Grove Park. (Mariana Dale/LAist)

Anaheim

Playgrounds open? Yes.

A few key details:

• The city announced on Facebook Oct. 3 that playgrounds had reopened.
• Expect to see markers spaced six feet apart to show where parents and caregivers should stand while watching their kids.
• More info from the city here.

Burbank

Playgrounds open? No.

A few key details:

• The city wrote on its website on Oct. 1 that it's developing new safety protocols that will allow playgrounds to reopen once implemented.
• More info from the city here.

Carson

Playgrounds open? No -- but they will be soon.

A few key details:

• The city's playgrounds will reopen Oct. 14.
• There will be hand sanitizer available to the public. City staff will clean play equipment throughout the day.
• More info from the city here.

Compton

Playgrounds open? Yes.

A few key details:

• The city reopened playgrounds on Oct. 1.
• More info from the city here.

Costa Mesa

Playgrounds open? Yes.

A few key details:

• The city announced the reopenings on Sept. 30.
• City staff will be visiting playgrounds to make sure people are following the social distancing guidelines.
• More info from the city here.

Culver City

Playgrounds open? Yes.

A few key details:

• Culver City reopened playgrounds on Oct. 3. The city reports it's sanitizing equipment twice a day. Indoor playgrounds remain closed.
• More info from the city here.

Downey

Playgrounds open? Yes.

A few key details:

• The city announced the reopenings on Oct. 5.
• More info from the city here.

Fullerton

Playgrounds open? Yes.

A few key details:

• Playgrounds reopened Thursday, Oct. 1.
• The city reports playgrounds at Hillcrest and the Fullerton Sports Complex remain closed because of safety issues unrelated to COVID-19.
• More info from the city here.

Garden Grove

Playgrounds open? Yes.

A few key details:

• Garden Grove's playgrounds reopened on Oct. 1.
• The city is putting up signs to remind people of the state's guidelines for playing safe.
• More info from the city here.

Glendale

Playgrounds open? Yes.

A few key details:

• Outdoor playgrounds opened Oct. 7.
• More info from the city here.

Huntington Beach

Playgrounds open? Yes.

A few key details:

• We called the city services center and the person who answered said playgrounds are open with restrictions, but couldn't provide more details. We've reached out to the city's public information office for more information.
• More info from the city here.

Inglewood

Playgrounds open? Yes.

A few key details:

• The city reopened playgrounds on Oct. 10.
• More info from the city, including the playground locations, here.

Irvine

Playgrounds open? Yes.

A few key details:

• Irvine city staff disinfected "playground surfaces" and there are signs with new safety guidelines.
• More info from the city here.

Lancaster

Playgrounds open? No.

A few key details:

• The city's Parks, Recreation and Arts Department is currently working on a plan to reopen playgrounds.
• We've reached out to the city for more details.
• More info from the city here.

Long Beach

Playgrounds open? Yes.

A few key details:

• Playgrounds reopened Oct. 1.
• The Parks, Recreation and Marine Department says it will increase "the cleaning of frequently-touched surfaces."
• More info from the city here.

City of Los Angeles

Playgrounds open? Yes.

A few key details:

• The city started reopening playgrounds Oct. 5.
• "Playgrounds will begin to re-open individually as reconditioning cleaning, signage and safety inspections are completed," according to the Recreation and Parks website.
• More info from the city here.

Mission Viejo

Playgrounds open? Yes.

A few key details:

• The city has reopened its 36 playgrounds.
• More info from the city here.

Norwalk

Playgrounds open? No.

A few key details:

• There is no set timeline for reopening the city's playgrounds.
• For more information, you can contact the city's Recreation and Park Services at 562-929-5702.

Orange

Playgrounds open? Yes.

A few key details:

• Playgrounds reopened Friday, Oct. 2.
• "With 30 playgrounds across the City, it may take some time to post the appropriate signage, take down any tape or fencing, and making sure all equipment is ready to be used," according to an Oct. 2 post on the city's Facebook page.
• More info from the city here.

Palmdale

Playgrounds open? Yes.

A few key details:

• The city's playgrounds reopened Oct. 6.
• More info from the city here.

Pasadena

Playgrounds open? Yes.

A few key details:

• Pasadena playgrounds reopened on Oct. 2.
• "Kids are getting both physical and mental benefits from getting out, and we haven't had any complaints about physical distancing," spokeswoman Lisa Derderian told the Pasadena Star-News.
• More info from the city here.

Pomona

Playgrounds open? No.

A few key details:

• "Pomona playgrounds currently remain closed as staff is in the process of evaluating the signage as well as improvement and disinfectant protocol needs of each site, to comply with State and County guidelines," wrote city spokesman Mark Gluba. There's no specific timeline, but the city hopes to open playgrounds again in the coming weeks.
• More info from the city here.

Santa Ana

Playgrounds open? Yes.

A few key details:

• Santa Ana's playgrounds have been open since June 29.
• More info from the city here.

Santa Clarita

Playgrounds open? Yes.

A few key details:

• Santa Clarita reopened playgrounds at the city's 35 parks on Oct. 2 with new signage about safety guidelines.
• More info from the city here.

Santa Monica

Playgrounds open? Mostly yes.

A few key details:

• 12 Santa Monica playgrounds opened on Oct. 9.
• Staff are evaluating the equipment, cleaning and installing new signage with safety guidelines.

More info from the city, including the playground locations, here.

South Gate

Playgrounds open? Yes.

A few key details:

• The city's playgrounds reopened Oct. 5.
• More info from the city here.

Torrance

Playgrounds open? Yes.

A few key details:

• Playgrounds opened Friday, Oct. 2.
• More info from the city here.

West Covina

Playgrounds open? Yes.

A few key details:

• The city announced the reopenings on Oct. 7.
• More info from the city here.