Tennis nets at Gregory Park in north Brainerd will not go up in the near future in an effort to deter congregating and stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The Brainerd Parks and Recreation Board decided during a special meeting Wednesday, April 8, not to put the nets out and to keep the gates to the tennis courts locked. In accordance with the U.S. Tennis Association — which recommends not playing tennis during the pandemic — board members agreed players could potentially spread the virus by touching tennis balls, gate handles or any other shared equipment or surfaces.

With the city of Baxter and the Brainerd School District having already decided not to put tennis nets up, Parks Director Tony Sailer said people may congregate at Gregory Park if they are the only nets in the area.

Board members also noted case numbers are climbing in the area, and there are still so many unknowns surrounding COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.

The board will revisit the tennis nets after May 4, which is when Gov. Tim Walz’s stay-at-home order expires.

Dog park and ball fields

The board also agreed to put signs up at the city’s dog park and ball fields encouraging users to practice social distancing and other safety measures promoted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Minnesota Department of Health. Similar signs are already up at playgrounds throughout the city.

THERESA BOURKE may be reached at theresa.bourke@brainerddispatch.com or 218-855-5860. Follow her on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DispatchTheresa .