On Thursday morning, Gov. Tony Evers directed the Department of Natural Resources to close a slew of state parks, forests, and recreational areas. Why? Because of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, of course, but also because of “unprecedented crowds, litter, vandalism, and out of an abundance of caution to protect public health and safety and help flatten the curve.”
“I wanted to keep state parks open for the public to enjoy during this challenging time which is why outdoor activity is listed as an essential activity under the Safer at Home order,” Evers says in a press release. “Unfortunately, growing difficulty with ensuring social distancing compliance, dwindling cleaning supplies and mounting trash are some of the challenges faced by our state parks staff. We have to address the growing public health and safety concern and protect Wisconsinites.”
The following areas will close at the end of the day on Thursday, April 9, and remain closed until further notice:
Aztalan State Park
Belmont Mound State Park
Big Foot Beach State Park
Blue Mound State Park
Cadiz Springs State Recreational Area
Capital Springs State Recreational Area
Cross Plains State Park
Devil’s Lake State Park
Fenley State Recreational Area
Governor Dodge State Park
Governor Nelson State Park
Harrington Beach State Park
Havenwoods State Forest
High Cliff State Park
Kettle Moraine State Forest – Lapham Peak
Kohler-Andrae State Park
Lake Kegonsa State Park
Lakeshore State Park
Loew Lake
Lower Wisconsin Riverway
Mackenzie Center
Mirror Lake State Park
Mukwonago River
Natural Bridge State Park
Nelson Dewey State Park
New Glarus Woods State Park
Northern Unit
Pike Lake
Richard Bong State Recreational Area
Rocky Arbor State Park
Sauk Prairie State Recreational Area
Tower Hill State Park
Wyalusing State Park
Yellowstone Lake State Park
Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area
Pewits Nest State Natural Area
Parfrey’s Glen State Natural Area
Dells of The Wisconsin River State Natural Area
A press release adds:
Despite waiving fees, closing state park offices, visitor centers, and non-essential buildings to help minimize the transmission of COVID-19 at parks, the situation has reached a point where public safety in the parks and surrounding communities takes precedence over keeping these locations open. If the public does not follow social distancing guidelines and vandalizes property, more state parks may have to close.The public should follow simple steps to prevent illness and avoid exposure to this virus including:
• Avoid social gatherings with people of all ages (including playdates and sleepovers, parties, large family dinners, visitors in your home, non-essential workers in your house)
• Frequent and thorough hand washing with soap and water
• Covering coughs and sneezes
• Avoiding touching your face
• Staying home