State lands reopen Tuesday for recreation. Here’s what Whatcom residents need to know
Gov. Jay Inslee has eased his “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order to allow recreation on state lands starting Tuesday, May 5.
What will that mean for hikers and others who have been following the directive to stay away from state trails and recreation areas?
For one, it means you will be able to go to state-managed parks, wildlife areas, recreation land and boat launches.
But it doesn’t mean the gates will be thrown open to all of your favorite hiking, fishing and hunting areas on Tuesday. Some parks may not open immediately because of the possibility of crowding and the impact on rural communities.
And the governor has warned that the partial reopening of public lands will be scaled back if there’s a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases or if people fail to follow the steps needed for safety, including social distancing.
Here’s what else you need to know.
Will Larrabee, Birch Bay and Peace Arch state parks be among those opening?
The state posted a list Saturday, May 2, of parks that will open Tuesday.
Included in the list are: Birch Bay, Deception Pass, Larrabee, Peace Arch and Sucia Island.
It’s best to check before you go. It’s the same message being put out by the state Department of Natural Resources and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for their lands.
Check at:
What does reopening mean?
“For parks that are opening, gates and restroom facilities will be opened. Some areas like picnic shelters and visitor centers will be closed to prevent groups from gathering,” said Anna Gill, communications director for the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.
What do you want people to understand most about the reopening?
“We want the public to do their part to recreate responsibly by following these guidelines,” Gill said.
What are the guidelines?
The three state agencies have split them into two categories.
Before you go:
▪ Check first. State lands are open for day use — that means no overnight trips or camping — but other local, tribal and federal lands might still be closed.
▪ Don’t travel far to recreate.
▪ Go with members of your immediate household only to prevent new avenues for the virus to spread.
▪ Be prepared, because there may be reduced or limited restroom services as workers start to reopen facilities at wildlife areas and water access sites. Bring your own soap, water, hand sanitizer and toilet paper. You’ll need a mask or bandanna to cover your nose and mouth if you get near others who are not from your household.
▪ Don’t play outside if you have COVID-19 symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath.
When you’re there:
▪ Go somewhere else or come back another time if it’s crowded.
▪ Give others some space by practicing physical distancing.
Keep six feet between you and those outside your immediate household. Launch one boat at a time so there’s space to launch safely. Leave at least one parking spot between your vehicle and the vehicle next to you. If you’ve got a boat on a trailer, do the same thing.
▪ Wash your hands often, or use hand sanitizer if you can’t wash your hands.
▪ Have disposable gloves and masks with you? Pack them out, along with any garbage.
“We are excited that state lands are starting to open, providing people who don’t have nature close to home the opportunity to enjoy its benefits in these stressful times. We must all recreate responsibly to keep each other safe and lands open,” said Kindra Ramos, communications and outreach director for the Washington Trails Association, a trails advocacy group.
“We are still under the stay-home order and the governor has rightly made it clear that public health is still the No. 1 priority,” Ramos said. “With lives at stake, lands may temporarily close again if the virus starts to spread more quickly.”
To the tips from state officials, the trails association also added that people should plan ahead.
“Pack your lunch, get gas and use the bathroom before you go, don’t make unnecessary stops. Bring the 10 Essentials and don’t forget hand sanitizer, a mask and toilet paper. Be prepared to cover your nose and mouth if you find yourself near others,” the organization said.
More at wta.org/covid.
Are federal parks areas reopening?
Not quite yet, said representatives for Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and North Cascades National Park Service Complex, home to some of the most beloved trails and boating areas.
“In accordance with guidance from the White House, CDC, and local public health authorities, the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service are working to gradually increase access to national parks in a safe manner. The NPS will continue to work with state and local officials as these changes are implemented,” Denise Shultz of North Cascades said to The Herald.
“In our parks, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance. Decisions on a phased resumption of operations will be made on a park-by-park basis and regularly monitored,” Shultz said.
The message is similar for Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, which doesn’t yet have a timeline for when its lands might reopen.
“Currently, we continue to work to align our operations with the state of Washington and evaluating the possibility of opening national forest trailheads and developed recreation areas to day use,” Colton Whitworth of Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie said.
“Some areas designed for high use and high concentrations of people may remain closed for the health of our employees and the public. As developed recreation opens, the visiting public should follow CDC and local health guidelines and should come prepared for typical services like potable water and restrooms to be limited or potentially unavailable,” Whitworth said.
