As was stated in response to your May 20 report of this issue, the City of Alpharetta is following a phased plan for the reopening of City facilities and operations. The basketball courts are very much included in that plan but will occur during a later phase than some other facilities such as the dog park, ball fields for unorganized play, and tennis/pickleball courts, the use of which involves little to no physical contact and at which current social distancing guidelines can more easily be maintained.

While we understand that many Alpharetta residents are anxious for the reopening of the basketball courts, the courts are most often used for 5-on-5 or 3-on-3 pickup games that cannot be played without a fairly high amount of physical contact. Based upon current CDC guidelines, such levels of contact are simply not safe at this time.

Unfortunately, as much as we would like to be able to provide a firm date for the reopening of the basketball courts, we cannot predict when public health agencies such as the CDC and Fulton County Public Health that have the knowledge to make such decisions will determine that the risk for spreading COVID-19 is sufficiently low for the public to reengage in higher-contact sports.

The safety of our residents must always be our top priority.

As your local government we will continue to make safe environments and programs available to the public as soon as we can. Once we believe we have done all we can to make a facility or program safe, then we will open it so residents can decide for themselves when they feel it is appropriate to enjoy them.