Fort Lauderdale, Fla. -- Beginning Monday, July 13, the City of Fort Lauderdale will close its Parks and Recreation summer camps at the Southside Cultural Arts Center, located at 701 S. Andrews Avenue, and at Carter Park, located at 1450 W. Sunrise Boulevard. These camps are being closed to protect the health and safety of campers and staff in response to COVID-19 cases that have been reported at each location.

The City has been informed that one employee at the Southside Cultural Arts Center location and four campers at the Carter Park summer camp have tested positive for COVID-19. Both camps will be closed for a minimum of 14 days during which time the parks will be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. After the 14-day period, the City will assess conditions and make a decision with regard to reopening.

The City has been in contact with the Florida Department of Health in Broward County regarding the closures and is notifying parents of the campers who are participating in each program.

The City’s additional summer camps, which are being conducted at eight other parks throughout Fort Lauderdale, will remain open.

Earlier in the summer, the City closed its summer camp at Bass Park, located at 2750 N.W. 19 Street, after being informed that a camper had tested positive for COVID-19. The camp currently remains closed.

Parents with COVID-19 related questions may contact the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) in Broward County at 954-412-7300, the FDOH 24-hour COVID-19 Information Line at 1-866-779-6121, or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov. For a list of COVID-19 testing sites in Broward County, please visit http://bit.ly/bctestingsites.