I want to go to a park that requires masks

[Anonymous]

Masks aren't required outside anywhere. Go at off hours if you want to avoid crowds.

[Anonymous]

I am all for it, but who’ll enforce it?

[Anonymous]

Go at 7am, OP.

At some point you have to stop blaming people and take the initiative yourself. You want empty playgrounds? Go at 7am.

[Anonymous]

I’m at a small neighborhood playground in Arlington right now and there are about 10 people, all wearing masks. It’s hit or miss, but your odds are better if you avoid the more popular playgrounds and go to the smaller ones.

[Anonymous]

I would try NW DC - my friend was there the other day and says she got mask shamed. Not sure it is a requirement, but people are definitely wearing masks in the more wealthy areas of DC. I am also shocked at the lack of masks in Arlington. It is like the bar scene but for little kids.

[Anonymous]

Try the elem school
Playgrounds. The kindergarten rooms have their own playground and they are usually empty.

[Anonymous]

Probably won't help you but outdoor parks in Montgomery County are entirely masked as far as I can tell. I'm at a park right now and there are probably 15 kids, all of whom are wearing masks

[Anonymous]

Maybe try a church playground?

[Anonymous]

Me too OP, me too.

We've just given up going anywhere, unless it's early in the am on a weekday.

Too many people who won't wear masks even though laces are crowded, I can understand them not wearing a mask if people are sparse.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is OP again. I’d put the swings set where in my apartment? Like I said in my post, I completely get it that people differ on whether they think masks outside are necessary. But I don’t actually get it that folks don’t understand that many of us live in apartments. Our children don’t have yards. Or swingsets. I can choose to keep my child at home. I can’t choose to let her play in the yard because we don’t have one. That would be lovely if we did.

I thought maybe Falls Church or somewhere would have an ordinance requiring it, but it sounds like no.

Op, definitely try alternatives to the playground. Being outside and getting fresh air is still beneficial.

[Anonymous]

OP, I would move to a house further out at this point; your rent would be the same or cheaper and with a small child it just makes sense now. Even if you are commuting to work, traffic so way way less it makes sense. This will be how life is for a few years so might as well adapt.

[Anonymous]

Alexandria requires masks in public outdoor places. It’s not especially well enforced, but there are signs up about it at the playgrounds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I would move to a house further out at this point; your rent would be the same or cheaper and with a small child it just makes sense now. Even if you are commuting to work, traffic so way way less it makes sense. This will be how life is for a few years so might as well adapt.

Oh and we have no yard, and a kid the same age, and don’t go to any playgrounds fro the same reason. We do go to fields and have lot of fun with balls and sticks; I would just buy a bunch of Step2 mini basketball hoops, soccer nets, etc and toss them in your trunk.

[Anonymous]

But playgrounds are pretty likely to have kids under 2 that can't wear a mask. If you are really concerned, I would stick to the bigger parks with large areas to bring a ball, scooter, etc. Or other outdoor spaces that aren't playgrounds. The arboretum was really fun for my 2 year old and so big that it was very easy to avoid getting remotely close to anyone.

Also, I hesitate to say this, but Quincy Park playground at 7:30 am is completely empty.

[Anonymous]

I have no shame and hand out individually packaged masks to everyone at the park not wearing one. Most people are so stunned they leave or wear it.