A sign reminding parkgoers about the nature of youth sports is placed along the fence at Jackie Browning Park in Glasgow. The park’s staff has recently faced challenges regarding COVID-19 regulation enforcement.
Brennan Crain/WCLU News
GLASGOW, Ky. – As directives and strict guidance is handed down from state government, employees at Jackie Browning Park have worked to create a safe environment for area children to play summer and fall sports.
Maxie Murray, director of the Barren County Parks and Recreation, said the transition from a “normal season” to one with COVID-19 restrictions has presented new challenges for those working at Jackie Browning Park.
“It’s not me on a power trip when I ask you to move,” Murray said. “It’s because you have to follow the rules of the 6-feet social distancing.”
Murray began work as the parks director earlier this year, and much of his tenure has been during the pandemic. However, the weeks of uncertainty eventually gave way to a permissible youth sports season when the state government gave the cue to allow children to resume some non-contact sports like baseball and softball.
Murray said Xander Jones, who he calls his “right hand,” has helped coordinate much of the park’s reaction to the pandemic.
Jones, 19, has worked at the park for three years and manages much of the park’s internal workings such as recruitment and employee management.
But through the pandemic, Murray said all of his staff have stepped up to take on new roles.
“These kids are great,” Murray said.
Murray said park staff must enforce social distancing and limit gatherings. If those requirements cannot be met, the implication is that youth sports may come to a halt.
However, managing those in the park has proven difficult because many parkgoers are non-compliant with the necessary directives.
“I wish people would just be patient and understanding that we’re not setting these guidelines,” Murray said. “We’re just following them and having to enforce them.”
Most of the employees at the park are students, and Jones said some of the parkgoers have become angry at those employees when asked to move or disperse. But those directives are given because of higher directives imposed by the state government.
“Given these circumstances, and this situation, we’re making the best out of it to do good for the kids,” Jones said.
The park has implemented a limited guest policy, which means the family is mostly allowed to observe their child or relative. Even those guests must complete a brief contract tracing document in the case that a positive COVID-19 case appeared.
Two entrance times are also used during games. Some parkgoers are permitted to enter after 5 p.m. and others must enter after 7 p.m. That process is used to limit the number of people in the park at any given time.
Murray said he urges people to remain in their vehicles until they are permitted to enter.
Overall, the park’s compliance is rooted in the motive to serve children and their families during the pandemic. With the troubled time, the park asks everyone to do their part in being compliant with rules and regulations implemented.
“The reasons we’re doing that is so these kids can come together and play baseball and softball,” Murray said. “It’s not about me. It’s not about Barren County Parks and Rec. It’s not about the Barren County fiscal court. It’s about the kids being able to, rather than setting inside the house, come out and enjoy what they love doing.”
