Page 12 - Sonoma County Gazette 6-20

State Park COVID-19 Guidelines
By Michele Luna, Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods
Here are some guidelines from State Parks and some specific details about
our local parks. Our events are all cancelled at this time but we are starting to think about rescheduling cancelled events/trainings. We may have a way to continue with the Old Grove Festival with smaller numbers. We should have events to advertise by the July issue. Is there anything else you would like me to provide?
There are some new visitor guidelines State Parks has implemented to reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in the outdoors: • Plan Ahead – With 280 park units in the state park system, visitors are
advised to visit the webpage of their local outdoor destination before leaving home to find out if it is open, what new
visitor guidelines are in effect and if
parking is available.
• Stay Local – Stay close to home. Parking is
temporarily very limited or non-existent at park units across the state. Walk or bike to parks in your local neighborhood. Do not take road trips to parks and beaches or to neighboring states.
• Leave it at Home – The use of coolers, umbrellas, shade tents, BBQs or chairs is not allowed in many park units. Plan ahead.
• Keep it Moving – Passive recreation (lounging, picnics, sunbathing, etc.) is being restricted where physical distance is
a challenge. In those areas, only active recreation (walking, running, biking, boating, kayaking, off-highway riding, etc.) will be allowed. Also, observe one-way trails where they are in place.
• Stay Safer at 6ft -- No matter the recreational activity, maintain a physical distance of six feet or more. Visitors are being asked to leave if there are too many people to allow for the required physical distance.
• Keep Clean – Be prepared. Not all restrooms are open to the public. Bring soap/sanitizer and pack out all trash.
Specifics for west Sonoma County State Parks:
Sonoma Coast State Park – Still under soft closure with only access for locals who can walk/bike there and visitor before 11am and after 5pm. Non- compliance has been rampant and has impacted park staff on the coast who are overwhelmed by the lack of compliance.
Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve and Austin Creek
State Recreation Area – Open 7 days a week with parking lots and restrooms open. Picnic areas, benches and drinking fountains blocked off at this time. No gatherings are allowed at is time but could change as restrictions are changed.
Camping is still closed at Bullfrog Pond Campground through June 21 as well as our Visitor Center. As a co-manager of these two parks, Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods has been impacted with a huge loss of revenue. Our operations staff are in charge of visitor services and on the front lines welcoming visitors and reminding them about health guidelines so they can recreate safely.
Donations to Stewards will help us continue to provide services in our parks and support volunteer programs, which are also gradually starting up again. Our volunteers are working on stewardship projects reducing fuel loads and clearing trails again. Volunteers also rove the trails providing information to park visitors.
Staff and volunteers are also developing educational videos to provide educational value to those who cannot access parks at this time.
PLEASE Support Stewards: (707) 869-9177, www.stewardscr.org
12 - www.sonomacountygazette.com - 6/20