UPDATE: These 8 state parks were ‘overrun’ when N.J. coronavirus closures were lifted
Mother Nature was one of the biggest supporters of Gov. Phil Murphy’s decision to reopen state parks on Saturday, contributing sunny skies and mild temperatures that, combined with the public’s pent-up demand for fresh air and open space, helped fill some locations to their temporarily limited capacity.
Open space advocates hailed Saturday as a beautiful day in more ways than one, with nature lovers cooped-up by coronavirus-related closures since April 7 flocking to the parks while also largely heading the governor’s pleas to maintain social distancing.
“People have been cooped up for six weeks, they needed to get out with their families,” said Jeff Tittel, executive director of the state chapter of the Sierra Club. “The great thing about today is that people were out with their families and enjoying the outdoors,” Tittel added. “I think it was a wonderful day. I saw lot of families together, I saw people social distancing and wearing masks.”
Brendon Shank, a spokesman for the state Department of Environmental Protection, which includes the Division of Parks & Forestry, acknowledged that some parks or individual parking lots had to close their gates early to would-be visitors.
But, Shank noted, the number of spaces at state parks has been cut in half in order to minimize crowding and allow for safe social distancing within the parks, a provision that Murphy made clear when announcing the opening of the parks.
New Jersey State Park Police block the entrance to Round Valley Recreation Area on Saturday, May 2, 2020, its first day back open following a closure due to COVID-19. The park in Hunterdon County, like all New Jersey state parks, is limited to 50% capacity and must follow other restrictions as part of efforts to halt the spread of the coronavirus illness.Tim Wynkoop | lehighvalleylive.com contributor
“We do know that many of the parks reached parking capacity today,” said Shank, who said he could not specify which parks those were. “But the major reason is that the reopening of the parks’ stipulation was that parking was at 50% capacity.”
There were indications around the state on Saturday that the demand for time at state parks exceeded the reduced supply.
At Round Valley Recreation Area in Hunterdon County, State Park Police officers and a big SUV blocked the entrance to the half-full parking lot.
The Parks & Forestry division itself reported on Facebook that a lot at Worthington State Forrest in Warren County had filled up by 10 a.m. on Saturday.
“The Douglas parking area is filled to capacity and CLOSED,” read a message on the park’s Facebook page. “Please find another area to park and hike. Cars not parked in designated parking spots will receive tickets”
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Tittel said a parking lot filled up early Saturday at the Bull’s Island recreation area in Stockton, part of the Delaware and Raritan Canal State Park.
Other park pages welcomed visitors back for Saturday’s opening, with warnings that bathrooms and certain other facilities would remain closed.
In his lunchtime press briefing on Saturday, Murphy described the first morning of the parks’ reopening as “so far, so good,” referring to compliance with social distancing requirements and his strong recommendation that visitors also wear a mask or face covering.
On Saturday evening, Shank said it was still too early to quantify or even characterize the compliance level overall.
At Liberty State Park in Jersey City, New Jersey’s most visited state park, there was “a good number of people” there on Saturday, though the crowd did not exceed the reduced parking capacity, said the president of LSP’s volunteer friends group. He said people also seemed to be keeping their distance from one another.
“I think people, at this point, are educated enough that they are practicing social distancing,” said Sam Pesin of the Friends of Liberty State Park group, who applauded Saturday’s opening.
“The reopening of the park does highlight the importance of this urban waterfront park for our mental and emotional and physical well-being.”
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Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com.
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Some state parks, forests reach capacity on their 1st day back open - NJ.com
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