Public parks throughout Thurston County reopening
Parks in Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater reopened Tuesday, along with more than 100 state parks. And after a discussion Tuesday morning, Thurston County commissioners decided to follow suit and open county parks starting Wednesday.
Officials across the jurisdictions ask that visitors continue to practice social distancing and take other safety measures to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.
In city parks
Here’s what you need to know:
▪ Parks and trails are open, but some parking lots may still be closed to ensure social distancing. If you drive, city officials ask that visitors not park in adjacent neighborhoods when using the parks. They encourage visitors to walk to the park.
▪ Park restroom access may be limited, so use the bathroom before visiting the park. Reduced staffing makes it difficult to keep the bathrooms clean to the standard required during the pandemic, city officials say. Also, visitors should bring their own hand sanitizer in case the restrooms are closed.
▪ All playgrounds, courts, skate parks and picnic shelters are still closed.
▪ Gatherings of any size are not allowed, including picnics or organized athletic games.
▪ Bring your own face covering. And if you’re sick, stay home.
You can find more city parks information for Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater on the cities’ websites.
In the county
Thurston County trails remain open, and its parks — Burfoot, Frye Cove, Kenneydell and Deschutes Falls — will open Wednesday, according to a county spokesperson.
The Off-Leash Dog Park and Closed Loop Park located near the Waste and Recovery Center (WARC) in Hawks Prairie also will reopen.
Park restrooms will be open and cleaned with increased frequency — twice per day, according to discussion among officials at a commission meeting Tuesday morning.
County public health officials stressed that the onus is on individuals to take responsibility and ensure social distancing. The parks will be open for individual use, but not gatherings such as sports practices and events. Play equipment at parks will remain off-limits.
Children need to be supervised, Interim Health Officer Dr. Diana Yu said in Tuesday’s meeting, and park visitors should bring hand sanitizer.
The parks are reopening in time for a warm Mother’s Day weekend, with temperatures in Olympia expected to climb into the 80s Saturday and Sunday.
Thurston County Health Department recommendations for outdoor recreation include:
- Limit your recreation partners to only those who live within your household unit.
- If you encounter others, maintain a minimum of 6 feet of distance.
- Participate in outdoor activities close to your home. Do not travel farther than necessary.
- Bring your own face covering and hand sanitizer.
- Stay home if you are sick.
- If you pack it in, pack it out. Take all your belongings and waste when you leave.
For more information about county parks and trails, go to https://www.co.thurston.wa.us/publicworks/parksandtrails.html.
State parks open too
More than 100 state parks, trails and boating sites across Washington state reopened Tuesday as some coronavirus restrictions were eased.
Parks that open will be limited to daytime use only and the number of parking spaces will be reduced at some urban parks to discourage crowding.
But authorities say all ocean beach parks and parks along the Columbia River Gorge on the Washington-Oregon border will remain closed to reduce impacts on rural communities and prevent crowds.
The parks have been closed more than a month and are being re-opened under the first phase of the Gov. Jay Inslee’s plan to ease rules imposed to prevent the spread of the virus. Beaches and campgrounds would re-open under the second phase of the plan, although large gatherings would still be banned.
State officials plan to wait at least three weeks between each phase to see how the changes affect infection rates.
This story was originally published May 5, 2020 at 9:48 AM.
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