Baker-Polito Administration Announces Temporary Closure of Mass Parks’ Athletic Fields and Courts; State Parks Remain Open

The following is a press release from the State of Massachusetts submitted to SOURCE media.

***

BOSTON – Out of an abundance of caution due to the spread of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has temporarily closed athletic fields and courts, such as basketball, tennis, handball, pickle ball, and bocce, throughout the state parks system effective today, March 24, 2020 until Tuesday, April 7, 2020, at which time the closure will be reassessed.

Importantly, all state parks across the Commonwealth remain open and available for the public to visit.

[broadstreet zone=”59982″]

State DCR reminds residents and visitors to avoid gathering in groups of 10 or more people, maintain social distancing, and practice healthy personal hygiene to stop the spread of the virus.

Similarly, DCR has extended the closure of agency-owned ice rinks, visitor centers, campgrounds, playgrounds, fitness areas, and bathroom facilities until Tuesday, April 7, 2020, which will also be reassessed at that time.

The temporary extension of the closure of these facilities is consistent with an emergency order issued by Governor Charlie Baker on Monday, March 24, 2020.

[broadstreet zone=”59983″]

Furthermore, the agency will be removing trash receptacles throughout the state parks system to aid in the prevention of spreading COVID-19. DCR asks that all visitors of state parks adhere to a “carry in, carry out” trash policy during this public health emergency, and urges visitors do their part to help protect our shared natural resources by leaving no trace and taking any trash with them.

Additionally, in an effort to better inform state park visitors during the COVID-19 State of Emergency, the agency has developed a Massachusetts State Parks COVID-19 webpage, which centralizes COVID-19 updates that impact the state parks system.

[broadstreet zone=”53820″]