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Coronavirus News: NJ state, county parks and golf courses to reopen

Thursday, April 30, 2020

NJ state, county parks and golf courses to reopen

Anthony Johnson has more on Governor Phil Murphy's announcement Wednesday that he will sign an executive order reopening New Jersey's state parks and allow golf courses and county parks in the state to reopen.

NEW JERSEY (WABC) -- New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said county governments will regain the authority to decide whether county parks will reopen when the order takes effect at sunrise on Saturday.

"I did not want to see us in a situation where residents would be needlessly crossing state lines in either direction," Murphy said.

The Governor said county governments will regain the authority to decide whether county parks will reopen.

Social distancing will be strongly enforced at parks and personnel will be expected to enforce it at golf courses.

Murphy asked that people not rush out to parks or golf courses and said that parking will be reduced to 50% capacity at parks.

The Governor also urged people who do venture out to go to parks near their homes.

All playgrounds, pavilions, visitors centers, and restrooms will remain closed and organized sports and picnics are still prohibited.

"For passive recreation including running, hiking, biking, fishing, boating, kayaking and horseback riding come Saturday morning our state parks will be open once again," Murphy said.