Coronavirus: New York Closes 3 Parks In Rockland County

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — Responding to Rockland County officials' concerns about social-distancing problems that could spread the new coronavirus, state officials have closed three of New York's parks in the county: Rockland Lake, Nyack Beach and Hook Mountain.

"There were complaints from elected officials in Rockland," Secretary to the Governor Melissa DeRosa said at the governor's news briefing Wednesday. So state parks officials "decided to err on the side of caution" and close several of the state parks in the county.

The reason for keeping the state's parks open hasn't changed, to allow people to get fresh air and exercise safely, she said. "We're going to make an evaluation for the long term, but for the short term they're closed."

Still open are Tallman Mountain State Park, High Tor State Park, Harriman State Park, Blauvelt State Park, Bear Mountain State Park and Anthony Wayne Recreation Area at Bear Mountain.

Rockland County Executive Ed Day said he had advised the governor's senior staff last week that their crowd mitigation efforts were "fully compromised" by the fact that town, county and now New Jersey parks were closed.

"Special shout out to County Legislator Laurie Santulli who did the work in mustering up a majority of the legislature to sign off on a letter to the governor," Day said. "Well done to Laurie and thanks to the legislators who helped move this along."

The Rockland officials acted after complainers, many on social media, alleged the parks were packed with out-of-towners and members of the Hasidic community who weren't following social distancing guidelines.

Not everyone agreed. "I went to Rockland Lake Park this weekend to bike with my bike on my car rack. I also do so several times a week. I have not witnessed at all that the lots are filled and park packed with people. I do not know where this is coming from," said Jim on Patch.

Rockland had 8,335 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as of Wednesday, according to the state health department. The death toll reached 263, according to the county COVID website. There were 488 Rocklanders hospitalized Wednesday with confirmed or suspected cases.

SEE: New Yorkers Ordered To Cover Faces When Not Social Distancing