City of Redwood Falls announces tentative RACC, campground reopening plans

At its Tuesday meeting, the Redwood Falls City Council heard a report from Director Ross Nachreiner about the Parks and Rec Department’s tentative plans for reopening the Redwood Area Community Center, the Family Aquatic Center, and other city recreational facilities.

Nachreiner stated, “As the weather continues to show signs of improvement, we are still planning to transition our emphasis to ball fields, parks, and the aquatic center. We are hoping to re-open the RACC on Monday, May 4. We will be taking extra measures to decrease gatherings and stress social distancing.”

In addition, the department will suspend all youth and adult leagues and activities until June 1. However, the Parks and Rec Department is currently accepting registrations for activities scheduled to begin after June 1.

Nachreiner said all park restrooms are currently set to be opened next Monday, April 27. The slight delay from previous years has more to do with cooler weather this year than COVID-19 concerns.

The Redwood Falls Aquatic Center is scheduled to open Friday, June 5. However, that is not definite at this point. The state pool inspector has suggested to the City of Redwood Falls that it hold off on making the final decision on when to open the pool until at least May 4 at the earliest. Nachreiner said his department will turn to guidance from the League of Minnesota Cities, and to Southwest Health and Human Services, before making that decision.

Nachreiner said that at this point, the city is hoping to open the Ramsey Park campground on May 4. However, Nachreiner also said his department is checking with other cities in the region to see what they are planning, and Mayor Tom Quackenbush recommended the city follow they governor’s guidelines as they may change.

(Clarification: We have changed a sentence in the final paragraph about how state parks are affected by the governor’s executive order. Nachreiner clarified to KLGR, “State licensed campgrounds are affected by the executive orders.  We are not allowed to open for recreational campground.  This also impacts STATE Parks.  Some state licensed campgrounds are allowing those that have seasonal campers.  Ramsey park does not allow seasonal campers.”)