Governor Tony Evans gave the all-clear for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to allow the public to access many parks, recreational areas, and forests around the state. Devil’s Lake State Park near Baraboo is one of the parks that has been reopened.
The parks and forests reopened on Friday, May 1 after about a month of being closed while authorities tried to figure out the best ways to limit the spread of COVID-19 without putting too many restrictions on the people. The parks reopened under special conditions, which are designed to keep crowds to a minimum, keep in line with social distancing laws, and ensure that staff and visitors are in a safe environment. Reopened parks could have poster printing to remind people about the rules.
In the press release where Governor Evers made the announcement, he said:
“Outdoor recreation is important for both physical and mental health, and I know how important it is to Wisconsinites to get outside and enjoy Wisconsin’s natural resources and spring weather.”
Opening hours at the parks are now from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm, and they will be closed for maintenance on Wednesdays. Shelters, buildings, towers and even restrooms will be closed to keep people from getting too close to each other. The number of people allowed into the parks will be limited to 75% of the maximum capacity each park is designed to hold. Staff will have access to hand sanitizer, as well as masks and gloves.
