Festivals Kelowna has brought back 'Pianos in the Park'

Photo: Wayne Moore

A decision by Festivals Kelowna to bring back its popular 'Pianos in the Park' program is not sitting well with some residents.

Festivals Kelowna, which facilitates a number of summertime programs including 'Pianos in the Park,' recently reinstalled a number of pianos.

"I am very disturbed to see this morning that Festivals Kelowna did a risk assessment and think that it is OK to put all of the pianos out downtown for people to use during a worldwide pandemic. How irresponsible," wrote one angry reader.

Festivals Kelowna, in announcing a return of the pianos, says it is taking necessary precautions to ensure the health and safety of piano users.

Only five of the eight pianos have been put out. They are at the Art Walk, Rotary Centre for the Arts, Queensway (near public washroom building; maintained in collaboration with People Employment Services), Stuart Park and Roxby Park (maintained in collaboration with URBA).

The pianos are cleaned and disinfected three times a day in the late morning, mid-afternoon and early evening.

While Festivals Kelowna was forced to cancel Canada Day celebrations and Arts on the Avenue due to restrictions around large gatherings, they are going ahead with Parks Alive and the Buskers program on a modified scale.