Community Corner
Coronavirus: Yes, East Bay Regional Parks Are (Mostly) Open
While a few parks, parking lots, and staging areas are closed, most of the 125,000 acres of parklands are open, along with hiking trails.
EAST BAY — From San Francisco Bay to mountaintops, forests and lakes, the East Bay Regional Parks are a much-loved resource for local residents and stay-at-home orders have been a sore spot.
But Dave Mason with the Park District wants you to know that while some parks, parking lots and staging areas have been closed, most of the Park District’s 125,000 acres of parklands and 1,300 miles of trails remain open and accessible to the public.
Current state and local “Stay-at-Home” orders allow for “outdoor recreation activities” as an “essential activity” as long as social distancing is followed. Local health agencies have specifically asked that the Park District keep parks open as much as possible.
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“We understand the public relies on parks for fresh air, exercise, and stress relief,” said Park District General Manager Robert Doyle. “We have kept as many parks open as possible during COVID-19, but some parks, parking areas, staging areas, and facilities, like restrooms, have been closed due to staffing limitations and to prevent unsafe overcrowding.”
Specifically, all Visitor Centers, restrooms, water fountains, picnic areas, swim facilities/areas, boat ramps, playgrounds, archery ranges, sports fields, campgrounds, group campsites, backcountry campsites, kiosks, and reservable facilities are closed, and you are asked to take your trash with you and dispose of it at home.
Find out what's happening in Lamorindafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A new local health agency “Cover Your Face” order requires all visitors to carry a cloth face covering or mask with you when in parks and wear it whenever six-feet of social distancing cannot be maintained.
Here is an up-to-date list of closed parking lots and gates.
Full coronavirus coverage: Coronavirus In California: What To Know
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