Facility modifications and closures that have been made in response to COVID-19 will continue until further notice following the City Council’s decision to extend the Declaration of Disaster for a Local Health Emergency. The declaration is effective through April 30, 2020 unless superseded, canceled, modified, amended or terminated by the Mayor and/or the City Council.

The City has activated emergency plans to maintain staffing levels and provide essential services through thoughtful planning for several impact scenarios. The City has implemented several operational changes to support first responders to safeguard our community from COVID-19 risks and continues to follow guidance from the CDC and other agencies as outlined in the City’s Emergency Management Plan. The plan is developed and coordinated through Richardson’s Office of Emergency Management and includes procedures for responding to the spread of airborne diseases like COVID-19.

The following is a list of impacts to municipal services and programs until further notice:

Animal Shelter (972-744-4480, [email protected])

  • Open normal business hours but limiting operations that require public contact.
  • To reclaim pets, drop off stray animals or adopt a pet you must make an appointment. Appointments may be made via telephone or e-mail.
  • All volunteer and community service activity is suspended.

Civic Center (972-744-4090, [email protected])

  • All events are canceled.

Eisemann Center (972-744-4650, [email protected])

  • All events are canceled.
  • The ticket office and Green Art Gallery remain open.

Library (972-744-4350, [email protected])

  • Library is offering limited services, but the building is closed to the public.
  • Items may be checked out via curbside pickup. Call 972-744-4350 to request books, CDs, DVDs and audiobooks to check out. Patrons are limited to 10 items checked out at a time.
  • Online services are still available.
  • Some youth services will be offered through Facebook live feeds. Call 972-744-4350 for details.

Municipal Court (972-744-4500, [email protected])

  • The Court remains open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; however, all dockets, hearings and trials are postponed.
  • In lieu of appearing in person, defendants are encouraged to access the many options available online at www.cor.net/municipalcourt

Parks and Recreation (972-744-4300, [email protected])

  • Heights and Huffhines Recreation Centers, Huffhines Tennis Center and the Gymnastics Center are closed.
  • The Bush Central Barkway dog park and Ann Eisemann Inclusive Playground are closed indefinitely. In addition, people are discouraged from using other playgrounds or park fixtures since they cannot be sanitized in such a way to provide for their safe use. Parks and trails remain open, but social distancing is strongly encouraged.
  • All drinking fountains in parks and along trails will be disconnected by Thursday, March 26, 2020.
  • All Parks and Recreation programming is suspended.
  • All league play is canceled.
  • All facility rentals are canceled.
  • New pavilion rentals will not be permitted.

Senior Center (972-744-7800, [email protected])

  • All Senior Center programs are canceled.
  • Bus transit is limited to essential travel only.

Sherrill Park Golf Course

  • Courses 1 and 2 are open for play.
  • All tournaments are canceled.
  • The tournament pavilion is closed.
  • Only members of immediate households are allowed to share a golf cart.
  • All other services are limited to allow for CDC guidelines related to social distancing.

Special Events that have been canceled:

  • Richardson Realtors Workshop (April 2)
  • Trash Bash (April 11)
  • Richardson Neighborhood Leadership Workshop (April 21)
  • Cottonwood Arts Festival (May 2-3)
  • Wildflower! Art and Music Festival (May 15-17)

(All updates can be found on the City of Richardson’s COVID-19 news page at www.cor.net/coronavirus.)