The Things You CAN Do While PC’s Risk Level is Yellow

For many of us, Park City is a place we once visited and now have the good fortune to call home. Because of COVID-19 restrictions over the past few months, the very things that drew us here – exercising, dining out, experiencing the joy of live performance – have been temporarily off-limits. But now that Summit County is officially in the Yellow Risk Level, many of those activities are once again things we CAN do, so I wanted to focus on those here.

If you’re wondering what the Yellow Risk Level means, here are a few bullets:

• Groups of up to 50 people may gather following social distancing and sanitization guidelines
• All businesses may operate fully if in compliance with the governor’s guidelines
• Team and club sports are allowed
• Restaurants are required to keep tables six feet apart, but up to 10 people may share a meal, preferably from the same household
• Concerts can be held, but social distance must be maintained among attendees
• Faith services can be held provided social distancing is maintained between people from different households
• Face coverings in retail outlets are recommended, but not always required
• Health care workers and employees of business who cannot maintain six feet of separation are required to wear a face covering

Though the county might move to a cautious Green Risk Level soon, the risk of cases spiking during the summer months has warranted most large public gatherings – such as Silly Market, art festivals, concerts and parades – to cancel this year. But there are still many things you can start to do again to help acclimate to our new normal.

Something you can start to do again is eat out, or at least continue to order take out and have an amazing restaurant experience in the comfort of your home! We all know Park City loves to dine, and after a few-months’ hiatus, now’s the time to show our local eateries – and their dedicated employees – you support them and have been awaiting their return. Visit the Park City Area Restaurant Association’s website by clicking here to see which restaurants offer curbside and eat-in options, and which are planning to reopen soon. As noted on their site, it’s not exactly business-as-usual, so please be patient with adjusted hours of operation and other restrictions they’re required to follow in order to re-open their doors to the public.

Historic Park City Alliance is also maintaining an updated online resource that lists businesses ready to receive patrons. Visit their site by clicking here. #shoplocal

In granting the “go-ahead” to gyms to start welcoming patrons back in, including PC Marc, Basin Recreation and other fitness facilities, with certain restrictions (masks, smaller class sizes) newly implemented.

If a pool party is more your thing, but if you’re continuing to follow the recommendation to limit nonessential travel, check into a local pool or club membership. The Waldorf Astoria Park City offers a monthly membership at $250 per individual or $400 per family of four (following a $3,000 initiation fee), along with daily cabana rentals. Call 435.647.5550 to book.  Silver Mountain Sports Club & Spa’s outdoor pool & playground complex provides hours of fun for swimmers of all ages, and offers monthly memberships starting at $89.75 for individuals, or $159.75, with a $24.75 add-on for each dependent child ages 7-18 (children six and under are free). Another venue to consider is the aforementioned PC MARC.

One thing we have in abundance in Park City and throughout Utah is open space, often accessed through state and national parks. The Utah Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reopened many of its parks at the beginning of May, but is still following safety precautions with its staff, limiting group sizes and recommending social distancing guidelines be followed. This includes separating yourself from other recreators, avoid crowded trailheads, and helping to keep parks and facilities clean. State parks many locals frequent include Rockport, Echo, Jordanelle and Deer Creek reservoirs in Summit and Wasatch counties, along with Antelope Island and Bear Lake. Check out the full list of state parks by clicking here, and consider purchasing an annual pass for just $75 and making the most of the more than 40 state parks visitors from across the globe travel to Utah to experience.

Utah’s National Parks – which include Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef and Zion – opened in May, as well. However, the parks are implementing phased openings, which means some facilities and services will not be available in all parks, so check each park’s website to help plan your trip. And remember that all th graders get a free National Park Pass for their family through the “Every Kid Outdoors” program, which can be secured by clicking here.

However you choose to start reengaging after sheltering in place, there’s no better time than in the summer to enjoy all the things that make our town so special, and the restaurant and shop owners are sure to welcome you in true Park City style!

Coming together in times of uncertainty is one of the many reasons people Choose Park City for their new home or vacation property. To learn more about the many ways to enjoy all Park City has to offer, connect with Christine Grenney at 435-640-4238, or visit her website by clicking here.