Barnegat Closes All Parks, Playgrounds Amid Coronavirus

BARNEGAT, NJ — Barnegat Township closed all parks, playgrounds and the skatepark as a precaution for the novel coronavirus. The Recreation Department made the announcement Wednesday morning.

Governor Phil Murphy made an emergency declaration Monday to limit gatherings of 50 people or more. Barnegat will keep all recreational facilities closed until Murphy lifts the restrictions and recommendations.

At the county level, the visitor and nature centers at Jake's Branch County Park in Beachwood, Cattus Island County Park in Toms River, Wells Mills County Park in Ocean Township, and Cloverdale Farms County Park and Cedar Bridge Tavern in Barnegat Township have been closed to the public, but bathroom facilities will remain open.

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Playgrounds, tennis courts and basketball courts at the county parks are shut down, as are children's programs, exercise, yoga and wellness programs, nature and outdoor events, weekend "drop-in" walks and feedings, van trips and hikes.

The two county dog parks, at the Ocean County Airpark in Berkeley Township and Ocean County Park, Lakewood, are closed, as are the county golf courses at Forge Pond in Brick and Atlantis in Little Egg Harbor. Read more: Playgrounds Closed In Ocean County Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

Officials have confirmed six cases of the virus in Ocean County as of Wednesday morning — none in Barnegat or Manahawkin. Governor Phil Murphy reported 89 new cases Tuesday in New Jersey, increasing the state total to 267. Read more: Gov. Murphy: NJ Malls Closing Due To Coronavirus, 89 New Cases

With reporting from Karen Wall/Patch

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