The East Bay Regional Park District will close parking areas at certain parks this weekend to prevent overcrowding and promote physical distancing in light of the novel coronavirus pandemic, the district said Friday.
Parking areas will be closed at Black Diamond Mines, Coyote Hills, Garin, Kennedy Grove, Lake Chabot, Lake Temescal and Miller Knox, according to the district. In addition, staging areas will be closed at Briones, the Martin Luther King, Jr., Regional Shoreline and Mission Peak.
“This upcoming weekend, the public should consider staying at home, walking in their neighborhood, or visiting parks on less crowded days or times,” district General Manager Robert Doyle said. “No picnicking and group activities are allowed by the ‘stay-at-home’ orders, which has been in place for the past two weeks.”
Trails and open spaces will remain open to the public, but staffing will be reduced as district officials and staff members work from home where possible.
People who do spend time at an East Bay park or open area are advised to practice recommended coronavirus safety protocols like wearing a protective face mask, practicing physical distancing and bringing water and hand sanitizer from home. Park-goers should also take their trash with them when they leave as trash service at parks has been suspended under the regional and state shelter-in-place orders.
A full list of park district closures and updates can be found at ebparks.org/coronavirus.