🌴🌴UPDATE: Florida Keys officials have passed an ordinance making face masks/facial coverings mandatory for residents and visitors throughout the Keys, from Key Largo through Key West. Please read our updated COVID-19 Visitor Guidelines at https://fla-keys.com/news/article/10775/
Upper Keys visitors will want to read this update we just received concerning Founders Park and its features:
Islamorada, Village of Islands News – June 11, 2020
Reminders to patrons of all park facilities:
• Individuals, when in public, should maximize physical distance from others, and maintain a minimum of six feet.
• Social settings where appropriate distancing may not be practical should be avoided. Have a mask or facial covering with you for entry into facilities.
• Vulnerable individuals should continue to stay home.
• Practice proper hand washing techniques, especially after touching frequently used surfaces.
FOUNDERS PARK EXPANDS OPENING
to Guests of Islamorada Lodging Establishments
and to non-residents (must pay daily entrance fees)
Founders Park has been open to Village Residents, property owners and long-term renters. Guests of Islamorada hotels, motels, resorts and rental homes can be admitted to the park free of charge by showing valid proof of reservation, invoice or lease agreement that includes name, Village address and length of stay, along with a photo ID. Non-residents are now welcome to the park and aquatic center at the normal fee schedule to be paid at the entrance gate and park office.
The Park Office is open for limited park business including issuance and renewals of Park Resident Admission Card, Resident Memberships and Non-resident Individual Pool Memberships for Monroe County residents only.
Park Office Hours:
Monday – Friday 8:00-6:00
Saturday & Sunday 10:00-5:00
The Ron Levy Aquatic Center is open for water exercise: lap swimming, water jogging, individual water aerobics, modified lap swim in deep or shallow areas. On June 16, 2020, the pool will open for recreational swimming during limited hours. Operations continue with the following restrictions:
• All Patrons will be screened for Covid-19 symptoms (verbal questionnaire and touch-free temperature check) before admittance
• Office and Pool Patrons must wear a mask or facial covering upon entrance and within 6 feet of others
• The Splash Pad, diving boards, water slide and basketball are closed during exercise hours; they are open during recreational swim hours
• 65 patrons maximum
• Must bring your own equipment
• No lounge chairs; sit up chairs only
• No indoor showers; outdoor shower available under dive platform
• No lockers available
• Restrooms available in locker room
Public Pool Hours:
Monday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday 8:00a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Sunday CLOSED
Recreational Swim Hours (beginning Tuesday, June 16):
Tuesday and Thursday 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The following features will be open during recreation swim:
• Diving boards
• Waterslide
• Splash Pad (no more than 10 patrons at a time)
• Water basketball goal (individual play, no contact)
• Deep and shallow areas open for general swim
• Limited Lap lanes
• Bring your own equipment (floats, kickboards, goggles, toys)
• Minimal Lounge Chairs available
• No in-door showers; outside shower available under Dive Platform
• No Lockers
• Restrooms available in locker room
• 65 patrons maximum
The Rest of Founders Park
The Park is open sunrise to sunset with the following restrictions (per CDC recommendations & Governors Orders regarding social distancing and no large group gatherings):
• Beach: staff monitors capacity limits
• Walking/Running Trails: Open
• Athletic Fields & Baseball Fields: No large groups. Authorized organized sports programs only.
• Tennis Courts: Doubles play is permitted
• Pickleball Courts: Doubles play is permitted
• Basketball Court: Individual play only – no games or close contact
• Dog Park: Open
• Golf Driving Cage: Open
• Picnic Areas, Tiki Huts, Pavilion: Individual and family use only, grills may be used. No large groups or rentals
• Restroom facilities: Open
• Fitness Park: CLOSED for construction
• Playgrounds: Open. Cleaned daily.
Limited park programming resumes with caution and according to all CDC / State Health Department Guidelines: Swim Clubs, Springboard Dive Lessons, Tennis Programs, and Field Sports Team Practices. Small group activities and sports camps will be offered with limited enrollment. Call the Park Office at 305-853-1685 to find out about the programs available.
The Plantation Yacht Harbor Marina New vessels are being admitted to the marina and new reservations are being accepted. The Plantation Yacht Harbor Marina fuel docks are now open and customers may purchase ice. Credit card payment is requested.
The boat ramp is now open to the public. The ramp is open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily (7 days per week).
Other Islamorada Park and Recreation areas:
• Library Beach Park remains closed for construction. Will reopen during the week of June 15. Date to be announced.
• Anne’s Beach is open.
• The Indian Key Boat Ramp and the area known as the Fills is open for public use. Parking is limited to vehicles with trailers at the boat ramp area. Parking on the Fills is limited to the marked parking spaces. There is no parking allowed on the shoulders or grassy areas of the Fills. Parking will be enforced.
“If you’re traveling to the #FloridaKeys in the near future, there are a number of simple precautions, especially in this day and age, that we all need to be aware of.” We spoke with Dr. Mark Whiteside, medical director of the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County. Find more information regarding Keys’ travel in the COVID-19 era: https://fla-keys.com/news/article/10775/
With the Florida Keys set to re-open to visitors on June 1, guidelines have been published for the safety of our guests and our residents. We encourage everyone planning to visit to review them before you arrive and respect them while you’re here. https://
Florida Keys Officials Target June 1 to Begin Reopening to Visitors
Monroe County officials are targeting Monday, June 1, to reopen the Florida Keys to visitors following the island chain’s closure to tourists March 22 …
Sometimes we just need a lift, right? This friendly cormorant followed a couple of local #FloridaKeys divers while they were spearfishing for lionfish Thursday, then caught a ride. Thanks for the share, Tildens Scuba Center! Hope this lifts your spirits as we head into the long weekend. #saferathome
A great opportunity for our visitors…
Boating in the #FloridaKeys can be complicated, especially for first-time visitors operating personal boats or rental boats, and navigating shallow island waters and channel markers. Ahead of the islands’
reopening June 1, and while #saferathome you can take a FREE online course in responsible boating that will help you not only protect the Keys, but help navigate and highlight relevant rules and regulations of Keys waters. https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/news/apr19/florida-keys-national-marine-sanctuary-boater-education-course.html #ConnectAndProtect NOAA Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
UPDATE FOR FLORIDA KEYS VISITORS, per county officials:
Monroe County plans to reopen to visitors Monday, June 1, by suspending the checkpoints on U.S. 1 and State Road 905 and allowing lodging establishments to take guests at 50 percent occupancy.
Monroe County lodging establishments, like hotels, campgrounds, vacation rentals, and other transient-licensed establishments will be required to implement sanitation procedures and follow the American Hotel and Lodging Association COVID-19 guidelines for enhanced cleaning practices (ahla.com). The timeline for removing the 50 percent capacity restriction for lodging will be determined at a later date.
Per Governor Executive Order 20-123, the County Administrator will submit a written request and safety plan to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary to seek approval for the operation of vacation rentals.
Airport screenings and bus restrictions will also be lifted on June 1.
This is subject to revision based on data regarding the prevalence of the virus within Monroe County, increased testing and contact tracing protocols, and the efforts in the adjacent counties to continue to control the transmission of the virus. All other requirements are not lifted. Should the Florida Keys experience an increase in cases and under the advisement of the Florida Department of Health, restrictions may be heightened, and/or amenities may again be closed.
More information on COVID-19 efforts in Monroe County can be found at www.monroecountyem.com/covid19. Tourism-related information can be found at fla-keys.com.
The Florida Keys have been closed to visitors since March 22 to minimize the spread of COVID-19.
More information: https://fla-keys.com/news/article/10775/
Good morning from the Florida Keys. We are now permitted by the State of Florida to accept vacation rental reservations with the provision that they are subject to the Keys being reopened to the general
public. Please contact us with any questions, or visit our site at https://www.RentalsFloridaKeys.com where there is live chat 24/7.Breakfast time for this pelican off #Islamorada. Sunday morning in the #FloridaKeys
