Coronavirus: Cedar Park Closes Parks, Trails Ahead Of Easter

CEDAR PARK, TX — The Cedar Park Parks and Recreation Department will be closing all city parks and trails ahead of Easter weekend — typically a period of high attendance — in keeping with protocol related to physical distancing amid the coronavirus threat.

The closure takes effect on Thursday, April 9, until sunrise Monday, April 13, city officials said in a news release. In addition, Williamson County has closed the Brushy Creek Regional Trail, which runs alongside city and county during the same time period, officials added. The decision to close these facilities and outdoor locations is an effort to help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus, officials explained.

“The decision to close our parks and trails weighed heavily on us," Cedar Park Parks and Recreation Director Curt Randa said in a prepared statement. "But the health risks are just too great when it comes to the potential of having a large number of people in our parks during Easter weekend. The health and safety of our citizens is our top priority, and by closing our parks and trails we are reducing these points of exposure.”

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As part of the closure order, parks officials said gates at the following locations will be closed, locked and barricaded:

• Veterans Memorial Park.
• Elizabeth Milburn Park.
• Brushy Creek Lake Park.
• Brushy Creek Sports Park

There also will be signage at those locations and at various access points along Brushy Creek Regional Trail to remind residents of prohibited access, officials said. All neighborhood and pocket parks will be closed with appropriate signage as well. Please be advised, Cedar Park Parks staff on duty will be patrolling these areas throughout the closure.

The city joins a growing list of municipalities shutting down parks as a way of mitigating the potential spread of illness that's caused by transmission of respiratory droplets emitted through coughing or sneezing. Austin, Williamson County and Pflugerville all have announced similar closures, and the governor this week ordered the closure of all state parks and historic sites in an effort to blunt the spread of illness.

Related stories:

• Coronavirus: Williamson County Closes Parks Ahead Of Easter
• Coronavirus: Austin Closes More Parks For Social Distancing
• Coronavirus: Texas Closes State Parks, Historic Sites
• Coronavirus: Austin Bans Golfing Amid Pandemic
• Coronavirus: Pflugerville Closes City Parks Easter Weekend
• Coronavirus: Austin Closes More Parks For Social Distancing

"The City of Cedar Park apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause," Cedar Park officials said in their news release. "Our staff understands family activities are limited at this time, and we appreciate your compliance."