Update: On Sunday, March 29, 2020 Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered all California state parks closed to vehicle access because of continued violations of the social-distancing rules put in place to slow the coronavirus spread. Read the details here.
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In a move to prevent overcrowding that can quicken the spread of the coronavirus, two parks agencies in the East Bay and San Mateo County have announced new restrictions at some parks.
Last weekend, beaches and parks throughout California saw record crowds despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s urgent instructions to keep at least six feet away from others when venturing outdoors for exercise. The state parks department responded by closing parking lots at 36 of California’s 280 state parks in five counties: Marin, San Mateo, Sonoma, Los Angeles and San Diego.
In a similar move late Thursday, the East Bay Regional Park District announced it would be closing parking lots and access at 14 of its 73 parks in Alameda and Contra Costa counties.
“All the park agencies were really excited that the public loves them, but shocked at how much,” said Bob Doyle, general manager of the East Bay Regional Park District, about last weekend’s crowds.
Doyle said some people were congregating in parking lots at popular parks, walking dogs in groups, and using picnic areas that had been posted as closed.
“Families and older people were doing their best to keep the six feet distancing,”he said. “But it seemed like everybody in the Bay Area decided they were going to the parks last weekend.”
County health officials and the East Bay park district’s elected board have urged parks agencies to keep parks open, where possible, to help people who are cooped up inside for long stretches, often in tight quarters with children, have an outlet for mental and physical well-being. But they have said that if people don’t follow the rules, more restrictions may occur.
Only one major parks agency in the Bay Area has closed all public access to its parks: Marin County. That came after residents of small coastal communities like Bolinas and Stinson Beach complained of large crowds who came to the beaches last weekend, and sheriff’s officials said the crowds weren’t practicing safe social distancing.
The East Bay closures will take effect Friday and include parking lots at Black Diamond Mines Regional Preserve in Contra Costa County, Crown Memorial State Beach in Alameda and Point Isabel in Richmond. A full list of closures is available at ebparks.org/news .
San Mateo County has put similar restrictions on parking at some of its popular coastal parks as well, closing parking lots at nine locations in Pacific and Half Moon Bay, although the parks remain open.
“We need the public’s help to keep our parks safe” said San Mateo County Parks Director Nicholas Calderon in a statement. He asked residents to instead use their local parks and trails and avoid driving to other neighborhoods, even if it means foregoing their favorite spots.
The San Mateo County closures took effect Wednesday and include parking lots at Linda Mar and Rockaway beaches in Pacifica, Poplar and Redondo beaches in Half Moon Bay, and the community center in Pacifica. A full list of closures is available here: www.smchealth.org/post/local-news-you-need .http://www.smchealth.org/post/local-news-you-need
Both districts have already closed restrooms, playgrounds, all picnic areas and visitor centers.
On Tuesday, a coalition of 49 Bay Area parks agencies, environmental groups and other organizations released a list of guidelines to help keep parks open. They included staying six feet apart at parks from people who you do not live with, choosing less frequented parks, packing out your garbage, avoid congregating in parking lots and entering parks that have been closed.
“Flattening the curve of contagion is our top priority – and everyone’s responsibility,” said Annie Burke, executive director of the Bay Area Open Space Council. “We recognize the great need and desire for access to outdoor spaces during a period of sheltering at home. At the same time, if people don’t use the spaces safely, then the parks cannot remain open. We hope the public will embrace these guidelines so that we – and the parks we love – remain safe and protected.”
Most of America’s national park units remain open, but with closed visitor centers, campgrounds, hotels and restaurants. Some have closed on the recommendations of local health officers, including Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon, Muir Woods and Alcatraz, although the majority remain open. On Thursday, Point Reyes National Seashore announced it would be closing parking lots and road access, although its trails remain open.
Earlier this week, San Mateo County Health Officer Scott Morrow rebuked residents who crowded into beaches and parks.
“If you decide you want to do your own thing and follow your own rules, you disrespect us all. You spit in our face, and you will contribute to the death toll that will follow,” he wrote in a letter. “For those of you who say: ‘nobody tells me what to do,’ now is a time to make an exception. You can go back to being ornery in the future.”
