COVID

Parking areas at multiple state parks closed after capacities reached for ‘maximum safe number of visitors’

The state Department of Conservation and Recreation started announcing the 2-hour closures by mid-morning as parking lots filled up.

Signs point out the direction visitors should take for one-way trails to limit face-to-face contact while walking the trails at Walden Pond. Barry Chin / Boston Globe

By Dialynn Dwyer

May 2, 2020

Update: In subsequent tweets, the state Department of Conservation and Recreation clarified that the closures were related to the parking areas at the state parks.

The return of warm and balmy weather on Saturday presented a challenge for the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation as multiple state parks quickly reached capacity and were closed to maintain safe social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic.

With increased visitors comes the need to park responsibly when visiting any of the state parks across the commonwealth. Please obey all posted parking signs and consider exploring alternative parks: https://t.co/6hZWWMSHcU pic.twitter.com/cLhZV3jGAW

— MassDCR (@MassDCR) May 1, 2020

Nice weather is on the way this weekend & @MassDCR is expecting people will be out enjoying the parks in larger numbers. To limit crowds & keep everyone safe, some parking lots may be closed across the state park system. Before heading to a park, check back here for updates.

— MassDCR (@MassDCR) May 1, 2020

This weekend, to ensure the safety & comfort of all visitors, @MassDCR will implement 2-hour park closures at some parks when they reach visitor capacity. Before heading out to a state park or property, be sure to check the @MassDCR twitter feed for updates on park closures

— MassDCR (@MassDCR) May 1, 2020

During the #covid19 state of emergency, please visit state parks responsibly by following these guidelines. And visit our website for updates: pic.twitter.com/Rlwe6MTbFh

— MassDCR (@MassDCR) May 2, 2020

The state agency began closing parks for two-hour intervals starting as early as 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Bradley Palmer State Park in Topsfield closed at 10 a.m., followed by Walden Pond State Reservation in Concord and the Blue Hills State Reservation in Milton at 11 a.m.

The park at Walden was closed again at 1:35. Wachusett Mountain State Reservation in Princeton was also forced to close twice at noon and again at 2:30 p.m.

Boston Mayor Marty Walsh issued a plea to city residents ahead of the nice weekend weather to continue practicing physical distancing to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

“If you are going to a @BostonParksDept and you see it’s crowded, turn around and leave,” the mayor wrote on Twitter. “It’s that simple. Be smart and do your part in this.”

So if you are going to a @BostonParksDept and you see it’s crowded, turn around and leave. It’s that simple. Be smart and do your part in this. pic.twitter.com/KVqZ15MBCR

— Mayor Marty Walsh (@marty_walsh) May 1, 2020

The flood of people visiting state parks follows a day after Gov. Charlie Baker announced that starting Wednesday, all Massachusetts residents over the age of two will be required to wear a face covering in public places where they may not be able to stay six feet away from other people.