Abilene Times

City of Abilene issued the following announcement on March 17

Abilene Mayor Anthony Williams has issued a disaster declaration, effective Monday, March 16, 2020, limiting the gathering of individuals in our community to 250. This action makes it a criminal offence to hold a gathering of 250 or more people, and will be in effect for 7 days, with the potential for extension.

Click here for a link to the Mayor’s disaster declaration: https://www.abilenetx.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=232 

In light of the Mayor’s declaration, and in an effort to proactively lessen the impact of the possible spread of COVID-19 in our community, the following municipal services are closed or altering hours and operations:

All Convention Center events are cancelled, effective 3/18/20 - 4/30/20. Patrons who have made deposits for their events will receive a full refund for payments received by the City to date. 

The Abilene Zoo is closed, effective 3/17/20 - 4/30/20. During this temporary closing, the City will continue to monitor the situation and, if possible, relax restrictions by introducing limited hours of operation, or limited access to Zoo amenities.

The Abilene Public Library system hours of operation are restricted to 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, for all branches, effective 3/17/20 - 4/30/20. Depending on conditions, additional restrictions for the Library may be considered.

The Rose Park Senior Center will be closed effective 3/18/20 - 4/30/20. During this temporary closure, seniors 60 and over may come to Rose Park Senior Center during the hours of 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, for a drive-through meal. Limit of two meals per car, strictly enforced.

Recreation Centers will be closed effective 3/18/20 - 4/30/20. During this temporary closure the City will offer daycare services for City employees and City first responders at City recreation centers on a first come, first served basis. In the event additional capacity is available, the City will work with United Way to identify families eligible for child care. Childcare services are limited to children 6 to 13 years old, from hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Rentals for all Parks and Recreation facilities are cancelled effective immediately.  Normal operations will resume May 1, 2020. All cancellations will be fully refunded.

To help protect the community by reducing the spread of COVID-19, the City of Abilene Parks and Recreation Department is canceling spring leagues, including Youth Spring Volleyball, Adult Flag Football, and Adult Kickball. Contact Community Services at 325-676-6217 or parksandrec@abilenetx.gov for a full refund or for more information. Youth Spring Volleyball t-shirts may still be picked up for free; please call Rose Recreation Center at (325) 676-6445 to arrange pickup.

Parks and Recreation regular programs such as dog classes, dance classes, senior dances, leagues, and other events through April 30 will be canceled. Contact Community Services for more information regarding refunds or rescheduling.

Adaptive Recreation is closed effective 3/18/20 - 4/30/20. Current Adaptive Recreation program participants may receive a drive-through meal from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Rose Park Senior Center, with a limit of two meals per car, strictly enforced.

Splash pads and the Adventure Cove will remain closed through 4/30/20.

Safety City is closed effective immediately, and will remain closed through 5/31/20.

All public tours of City facilities are cancelled effective immediately.

Proclamations, presentations, school age pledgers, and awards and recognitions at Council Meetings are cancelled until further notice.

Original source can be found here.