Five Points Park closed as of March 23

Pedestrians and bicyclists on Ringling Bridge urged to travel in the same direction as motorists to limit potential spread of COVID-19

Five Points Park is in downtown Sarasota. File photo

The City of Sarasota announced the closure of Selby Five Points Park as of 2 p.m. on March 23 as part of emergency orders related to the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The closure will “facilitate park restoration and landscaping repairs,” which were planned to begin later in the week, a news release said.

The emergency order also strongly urged pedestrians and bicyclists on the John Ringling Causeway Bridge “to travel in the same direction as traffic to limit the potential of spreading the coronavirus when passing others. Bicyclists, joggers and pedestrians heading westbound should use the westbound sidewalk and bike lanes, and vice versa,” the release stressed.

A local public health emergency remains in effect for the City of Sarasota. Although city buildings are closed to the public, most city operations and functions are still available, the release noted.

The public is advised to conduct business with the city either online via www.SarasotaFL.Gov or by phone at 941-263-6000.