Playgrounds Now Open in Napa 

Remember to Follow COVID-19 Health & Safety Protocols When Enjoying Our Parks

We have some good news to share, Napa! Due to the hard work by our Parks crews, we now plan to open our playgrounds tomorrow – Friday, September 25^th! Our crews have been working diligently to remove the ash and dust from our playground equipment, so that we could open the playgrounds up as soon as possible – but remember, we must all follow social distancing and good hygiene protocol!
 
When visiting our playgrounds, please:

• SANTIZE OR WASH YOUR HANDS: Bring your hand sanitizer to use before, during, and after play. Our restrooms are also opened to allow for frequent hand washing.
• WEAR A MASK: Wear your face coverings when other households are present, and parents/guardians should distance themselves by 6-feet from other adults.
• KEEP YOUR DISTANCE: Most importantly, please maintain distance with other park users. When you arrive, and it appears that there is not enough room to keep enough distance between you and other park users, please wait your turn or come back later. If you notice a group of families waiting their turn, please be gracious and limit your time at high use playgrounds to allow others a chance to play!

 
Please note that equipment will not be sanitized, as this is impractical to do for all 33 of our playgrounds. Also, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised spraying disinfectant on playground equipment in parks is not believed to be an efficient use of disinfectant supplies and has not been proven to reduce the risk of COVID-19 to the public. Good hygiene practices are an area of personal responsibility, and we are confident our families will use the playgrounds safely. 

Advisory from Napa County: Red Flag Warning for 9pm Saturday to 8 AM on Monday.

The National Weather Service in San Francisco has upgraded their Fire Weather Watch to a Red Flag Warning for 9 PM Saturday to 8 AM PDT Monday.

* WIND...Northeast winds 15 to 25 mph Saturday Night into early Sunday morning with gusts from 35 to 50 mph likely in the hills above 1000 feet. Winds will ease during the daylight hours of Sunday but then another burst of offshore winds will develop Sunday night into Monday morning. The winds on Sunday night will be almost purely offshore from an easterly direction.

* HUMIDITY...Humidity 30-45% Saturday evening will dry out overnight as offshore winds develop to less than 30% by sunrise Sunday. RH values staying steady from 10-25% Sunday into early Monday with no humidity recovery Sunday night.

* HIGHEST THREAT...The hills of northeast Sonoma county and Napa county above 1000 feet. Strongest winds near Mount Saint Helena as well as Mount Tamalpais in Marin county. Persistent offshore winds will reach all the way to the coast Sunday night so coastal Sonoma county including the Wallbridge and Woodward fire in Point Reyes will feel the effects of the drying offshore winds.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that develop will spread rapidly in the hot, dry and windy weather.

* AFFECTED AREAS: NORTH BAY MOUNTAINS
 
A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now...or will shortly. A combination of strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

For full details, view this message on the web.

Water-Wise Landscaping Workshops Online This Fall

Smart Irrigation and Drip Systems

Greywater Systems

Apply for a Board, Committee or Commission - Deadline to Apply is Next Friday, October 2!

The City of Napa is looking for residents who want to make a difference in their community and engage their communities in local government issues and policies. Think you might be a good fit? Apply now for one of the 8 open positions on one of the following Boards and Commissions:

- Three to serve on the Bicycle and Trails Advisory Commission
- One to serve on the Napa County Mosquito Abatement District Board
- Four to serve on Parks, Recreation and Trees Advisory Commission.  

Deadline to apply is October 2, 2020 at 5 p.m. Learn more here.

Upcoming Guest Speaker in Napa Parks & Recreation's Speaker Series: Napa Police Chief Robert Plummer

Police Chief Robert Plummer will be the guest speaker for Napa Parks and Recreation's next virtual presentation through Zoom. The Chief will talk about Napa Police Department and it's role in our community. Time will be available for questions. Please preregister two days in advance to receive the Zoom link.

Date: Friday, November 13, 2020
Time: 9 AM - 11 AM

Register here: https://apm.activecommunities.com/naparec/Activity_Search/speaker-series-coffee-with-the-police-chief/14140

Compost Girl: Here's How to Participate in Coastal Cleanup Month...

Our very own Compost Girl asks: We are seeing an increase in litter - where is it coming from? People are finding their escape from the realities of COVID-19 in the outdoors, but with their relief, an increase in trash is now plaguing the streets. 

Read more about what Compost Girl has to say here!

And read on below for more about Coastal Clean Up!

Last Coastal Clean Up Day is TOMORROW! 

Cleaning our neighborhoods, local parks, streets, and storm drains help protect our coast. Trash travels through storm drains, creeks, and rivers to become beach and ocean pollution.

In the past, Coastal Clean-Up was hosted as a one-day event. However, this year, every Saturday in September is a chance to make a difference!

For safety reasons, there are no large, centrally organized cleanup sites this year. Instead, cleanups will be self-guided and close to home - so find a place that is near and dear to your heart and clean it up! By organizing our own small efforts within our household units, we can ensure that not only are we staying within County Public Health Order Guidelines but that our parks and local wildlife stay healthy too!

If Saturdays don't work for you, don't let that stop you! You can clean up any day, any time. Report your cleanup by recording data on the CleanSwell app or by completing this form: https://bit.ly/32ZtAvY.

Napa's New Online Business License Portal - Powered by HdL

Starting a business in the City of Napa? Looking to renew your business license? You can now renew or apply for a City of Napa business license as well as pay any balance due from the comfort of your own home.

Access our Online Business License Portal HERE. 

From Napa County Bicycle Coalition: Bike Your Park this Saturday! 

Strap on your helmet and get ready to ride! Bike Your Park Day is this Saturday, September 26th!

Bike Your Park Day, an event created by Adventure Cycling Association, is a day dedicated to celebrating both bikes and parks. We think there's no better way to explore your local parks than on two wheels. We encourage everyone to get out and enjoy your favorite park (just bring your mask and practice social distancing!).

Our incredible local partners will be hosting Welcome Booths at a number of parks throughout Napa County including:

-O'Brien Park, Napa (10 AM-2 PM)
-Century Oaks Park, Napa (11:30 AM-3:30 PM)
-Crane Park, St. Helena (9 AM-12 PM)
-Wetlands Edge Road, American Canyon (4 PM-6 PM)

Bike Your Park Day is part of NCBC's Bike to Wherever Days during the Month of September. Register here (https://www.lovetoride.net/bayarea?locale=en-US) for Bike to Wherever Days to start logging your miles, make a team with your friends, family, or colleagues, and win prizes all month long! For more information on Bike to Wherever Days, check out our website page (https://napabike.org/bike-to-wherever-days/)

Photo Credit: Napa Valley Composite Cycling Team

Are you a Napa County resident who has been affected by the recent wildfires? 

If you have been impacted by the LNU fire, please opt-in to Napa County's recovery text message group, for an easy, efficient way to receive fire recovery updates.

Just text
‘HENNRecovery’ to 888-777

Less Than a Week Left - Let's Make Sure ALL Napa is Counted!

Next Wednesday, September 30th, 2020, is the LAST DAY to respond to the #2020Census. Your participation in the Census will help inform funding for health care, education and more for the next 10 years.

Respond by visiting 2020Census.gov or by calling 844-330-2020.

Llame 844-468-2020 si se habla Español. Make sure
#EveryoneCounts.

Keep Napa Al Fresco Safe 

Did you know that dozens of Napa restaurants are open for outdoor dining as part of the City's Napa Al Fresco program? When dining out, please make sure you:

- Drive slowly
- Follow traffic signs
- Watch for pedestrians and bicyclists
- Bring your mask

Visit CityofNapa.org/Coronavirus for more information.

Parks and Rec Has Gone Digital! 

Parks and Recreation has gone digital!! Instead of receiving a printed Recreation Guide three times a year, we are creating an online newsletter to share information about our classes, events and any updates regarding Parks and Recreation. During this difficult time we are pleased to offer events, activities and programs that are designed to enrich, inspire and get you out and moving! Please note that all our programs and activities follow Napa County Health Orders. Search our offerings HERE

Interested in subscribing to all of the City's newsletters, including Parks & Recreation? Visit www.cityofnapa.org/notifyme to sign up today!

To Go or Not To Go - Assessing COVID-19 Risk When Heading Out

Ever wonder how you can participate your daily activities safely while protecting yourself and loved ones from COVID-19? The more closely you interact with others and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread. Ask yourself:

- How many people will be there?
- Will the space be outdoors or indoors?
- Will I be spending a lot of time talking to people?

Learn more about assessing the risk when deciding to go out at here. 

Stay Connected!

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• Napa News e-Newsletter 
• Register for alerts at www.nixle.com or by texting your zip code to 888-777