For the first time since Montana's stay-at-home closures started, tennis courts in Billings are open.
Crews started at 6 a.m. Wednesday and have put up nets on all the city of Billings courts.
This includes courts at Central, Lillis, North, Pioneer, Rose and South parks.
"We got them right out there on that and got them put up," said Mike Pigg, city of Billings Parks Superintendent. "I was over at North Park at about noon and there was already people playing tennis there, so it was kind of exciting to see."
The courts can now be used for tennis and pickle ball.
"There's not a lot of shared equipment. and basically tennis is a socially distancing sport," Pigg said.
According to the county health office, reopening is alright if protocols follow Gov. Steve Bullock's directive on outdoor recreation.
The courts are limited to 10 or fewer people who must maintain a six-foot separation. The courts must be frequently sanitized.
In a normal year, the nets are not taken down.
Parks Superintendent Mike Pigg says many parts of the parks are open.
"The parks are 100 percent open still," Pigg said. "People can go out and enjoy them. The trails are 100 percent open. There's just areas like the playgrounds. Those are closed because we can't get them as clean as they need to be."
Pigg some restrooms may also be closed.
