STANFORD – Stanford University is shutting down its popular Dish recreational area after a “persistent minority” of visitors flouted rules intended to keep the new coronavirus from spreading.
“We realize that this will be a disappointment for many in our community, but the health and wellbeing of our community need to be our primary objective,” said Russell Furr, vice provost of environmental health and safety, in a news release Thursday.
Furr said the university introduced additional health and safety measures last week to keep the Dish open as long as possible. The recreational area is popular with joggers and hikers.
“Extensive signage and increased staff presence were intended to reinforce and educate Dish users to act responsibly in the interests of the entire community,” Furr said.
“While many visitors have taken those measures to heart, unfortunately, there have been a persistent minority of individuals who have not complied with these rules and have, therefore, put others at risk,” he continued. “Many community members have expressed their concerns about what they have experienced at the Dish.”
All entrances to the Dish will close for the foreseeable future at 5 p.m. Friday, Furr said.
Furr said the university is taking other steps to comply with an updated “shelter-in-place” order issued by Santa Clara County earlier this week. The order prohibits the use of recreational facilities with high-touch equipment or that encourage gathering. To that end, the university has closed its basketball, tennis and volleyball courts, Furr said.
