COVID-19 & Wildfire Park and Trail Updates

To limit unsafe overcrowding and maintain social distancing, the Park District has temporarily closed some parks and parking lots/staging areas until further notice. However, most parks and trails remain accessible for walking, hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

We are doing everything we can, under the circumstances, to keep parks open and safe as well as educating visitors to please keep the 6-foot distance, wear face masks, and bring trash home. Do not leave trash or dog waste bags on trail.

We need YOUR help! Please keep parks safe for everyone by following all COVID-19 safety requirements. Thank you!

COVID-19 & WILDFIRE-RELATED CLOSURES

ALL Visitor Centers, water fountains, picnic areas, swim facilities/areas, boat ramps, playgrounds, sports fields, group campsites, backcountry campsites, kiosks, and reservable facilities are CLOSED AT PARKS during the pandemic.

SAFETY RULES & GUIDELINES IN PARKS
For your safety and ours during COVID-19 Pandemic

HELP US KEEP THE REGIONAL PARKS SAFE BY COOPERATING with the statewide Shelter-In-Place order and park rules. Please do the following to protect yourselves, other park visitors, and park staff during COVID-19 pandemic:

BEFORE HEADING OUT TO THE PARKS

• Please observe the statewide Shelter-In-Place order. Stay close to your home and only visit parks near you. Check the list above of regional park closures and parking restrictions. See Map.
• Download a Park Map before leaving home. Or, at the park, take a photo of the map posted on the Information Board before you begin your hike.
• Bring water and hand sanitizer.
• Bring cloth face covering / mask as recommended by the CDC.
• Bring dog leash (6-foot max.) and dog poop bags.
• Plan to do walking, hiking, biking, horseback riding, or fishing. NO swimming, boating, or picnicking.
• Plan to walk, bike, or fish solo, or with only immediate household members. NO gatherings or meetup groups.

WHILE AT THE PARKS

• Park safely and correctly. Respect park neighbors and park staff. Do not block driveway, roadway, emergency exit, or service access road. Parking restrictions will be enforced.
• Upon arrival by foot, bike, or car, and you observe that a parking lot is full,  or a trail is crowded, please come back at another time when the park or trail is less crowded.
• Keep a 6-foot distance from other park users. Walk or bike solo, or with only immediate household members. NO gatherings or meetup groups.
• Wear cloth face covering / mask when within 6 feet of other park users.
• NO picnicking. All picnic areas are closed.
• Fish only from shore and piers. Fish solo, or with only immediate household members. Keep 6-foot distance from other anglers. NO gatherings.
• NO boating / kayaking due to closed quagga inspection stations. 
• Be aware of high-touch points such as parking payment machines, trail access gates, benches, etc. Use gloves or hand sanitizer.
• BRING YOUR TRASH HOME and ALL BAGS OF DOG WASTE. NO EXCEPTIONS. Do not leave trash on trail.
• THANK YOU for DOING YOUR PART to keep parks SAFE AND CLEAN for park visitors, park employees, and wildlife.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Safety Rules & Guidelines

Q1: With COVID-19 being a public health emergency, why are some parks still open?

A: One of the biggest challenges during this unprecedented pandemic is the requirement of isolating ourselves at home. The Park District confers daily with Alameda and Contra Costa County Health Departments, and they have specifically asked us to keep Regional Parks and trails open as long as park users can responsibly practice social distancing and not gather, congregate, picnic, play organized sports, etc. Parks are a respite for health and healing, and we are keeping many parks open despite major staffing limitations. During the COVID-19 health emergency, all water fountains, picnic areas, and some restrooms and parking lots are temporarily closed.

Q2: People need parks for health and wellness, so why are some parks temporarily closed?

A: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Shelter-In-Place order, Regional Parks have been busy, most notably the weekend of March 21-22, 2020. To limit overcrowding and help maintain social distancing, the Park District temporarily closed some parks and park areas on Wednesday, March 25. However, most of the Park District’s 125,000 acres of parkland and 1,250 miles of trails remain open and accessible for outdoor activities.

Q3: How can the public help keep parks open?

A: The Regional Parks have been very busy during the COVID-19 pandemic and Shelter-In-Place order as people are looking to get outdoors for exercise and stress relief. We are proud that the Regional Parks are well-loved and seen as essential to health and wellness. However, we need YOUR HELP to keep parks open, safe, and clean!!

WAYS YOU CAN HELP include:

• Wear cloth face coverings/masks as recommended by the CDC.
• Maintain 6 feet social distance from other park users while walking, biking, and fishing.
• NO picnicking, gatherings, or meetup groups (only immediate households).
• PACK OUT YOUR TRASH. Do not leave trash in parks and on trails.
• Bring water and hand sanitizer. Water fountains in parks are temporarily closed to stem the spread of virus.
• Park vehicles properly, safely, and respect park neighbors and park staff. Do not block driveway, roadway, emergency exit, or service access road. Parking restrictions will be enforced.

Q4: How is disabled access affected by the temporary COVID-19 park closures?

A: The safety of the public and park staff is the Park District’s top priority. On Wednesday, March 25, 2020, some parks and park areas were temporarily closed to limit overcrowding and help maintain social distancing. The temporary closures were implemented to minimize the impact of overcrowding to all park users, including persons with disabilities. We understand that these temporary closures may cause some inconveniences and we thank the public for their understanding and cooperation during this time.

Q5. Why do I need to wear a face mask in parks and on trails?

A: The CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings /masks in public settings where social distancing of 6 feet is difficult to maintain. The face mask can protect the wearer from becoming infected. It can also prevent transmission by the wearer who may have the virus but don’t know they have it.

The face masks don’t need to be medical grade. According to the CDC, cloth face coverings will work. They should cover your nose and mouth; fit snugly but comfortably; be secured with ties or ear loops. They should include multiple layers of fabric, allow for breathing, and can be laundered, and machine dried without damage or shrinkage. A bandanna folded into several layers is adequate.

Wearing a face mask does not replace social-distancing measures. Please continue to visit only parks near your home. Keep a distance of six feet from other park users; No gatherings/meetup groups. No picnicking. Walk, bike or fish solo, or with immediate household members. 

A: Most restrooms serving trail use have been reopened. However, restrooms serving picnicking and group activities remain closed. Water fountains remain closed for the safety of the public and staff.

Q7: How do I maintain social distance on narrow trails?

A: All trail users, please cooperate by stepping aside, with 6 feet of space, to let each other pass.

Wear a face mask on trails to protect yourself and others from the virus. See Q5.

On narrow or crowded trails, walk single file and consider backtracking to a wider area to allow other trail users to pass safely. Runners and cyclists who "more forcefully expel airborne particles" please take extra steps to avoid exposing others. Wear a face mask and slow down to maintain 6-foot social distancing. 

Q8: How do I maintain social distance at staging areas and parking lots?

A: At busy parking lots and staging areas, visitors may need to take turns getting out of cars to maintain the 6-foot distancing. This includes waiting and stepping aside when entering trails and parkland areas at busy or crowded entry points.  Wear face masks to protect yourselves and others. 

VIDEOS

County Health Officers: Public Service Announcements

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