Area Parks Remain Open During COVID-19 Closures

As long as you’re not sick, not taking part in a large group activity, and practicing social distancing, a trip to the park may be in order.

County and state health officials have urged people to take care of both their physical and mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak.

A trip to a local park may be able do both.

Bucks County Health Department Director Dr. David Damsker told LevittownNow.com that residents should stay away from touching equipment at parks, maintain social distancing, and stay home if they’re not feeling yell.

Residents, according to Damsker, also need to focus on keeping healthy during a stressful period when schools and many businesses are closed.

“Staying inside and watching TV news all day is not healthy,” he said.

While dealing with anxiety and other COVID-19 worries, Jelena Kecmanovic, an adjunct professor of psychology at Georgetown University in Washington D.C., wrote in The Conversation that people can use tried-and-true methods such as getting adequate sleep, regular exercise, practicing mindfulness, and spending time in nature.

“Prioritizing these behaviors during the coronavirus crisis can go a long way toward increasing your psychological well being and bolstering your immune system,” Kecmanovic said.

While many park facilities are closed, nearly all area municipal, county, and state parks are open.

Many towns have roped off play equipment to limit the potential spread of COVID-19.

Bristol Township has closed the various playgrounds within the community.

Middletown Public Works Department staff took down basketball hoops at their parks.

In Falls Township, the parks department closed the skate park, community garden, dog park, tot lots, and tennis courts. The township noted that walking paths will remain open.

“Our number one priority is the safety of all our residents who use our entire park system,” Falls Township parks officials said.

State parks locked the doors to public bathrooms but kept trails and parkland accessible.

“People will have access to state-owned open spaces to continue to enjoy the healthful benefits of recreation and being outdoors,” Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said. “However, as part of Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts, all of the buildings at state parks and forests including the park and forest offices, and all restrooms will be closed, and all events and public educational programs are canceled.

Falls Township, Middletown, and the county all have listings of their park facilities online. In Lower Bucks County, Pennsylvania operates Neshaminy, Tyler, and Washington Crossing state parks.

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