Stay Safe While Staying Active

With three states and varying policies, we’ve put together the latest listings for what the responses to Covid-19 are in Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia as well as U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-managed properties in our Tri-State region.

In general, all policies have this in common that hiking, biking and exploring the woods are OK, but with common sense applications of social distancing (six feet between humans). Note that this is a moving target and that further closures may come about.                                  

In Kentucky

For the latest information about Kentucky State Parks and COVID-19. 

The unprecedented impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) has led to some changes for Kentucky State Parks. The health and safety of our guests and staff is important to us and we have made some adjustments in our park operations and schedules.

As of March 23, 2020, here’s what’s open and what has changed:•    Food services will be limited to carry out at most parks. No seating will be available in the dining rooms at the parks 17 restaurants. Lounges and bars are closed. The restaurant at Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park is closed.

• Group events are cancelled through April 30.
• Park events scheduled through April 30 have been cancelled or postponed. Patrons should check with individual parks to find out about park services and hours.
• Historic homes, museums and gift shops are closed for the time being. Park grounds are open for hiking, picnicking and exploring. Tours of homes are also suspended at this time as well as tours of the two pioneer forts at Fort Boonesborough and Old Fort Harrod state parks.
• All 17 lodges and cottages remain open. Housekeeping services will be limited during this time as a precaution for guests and employees.
• All state park campgrounds, golf courses, marinas and hiking trails remain open to the public.
• Some boat ramps operated by the U.S. Corps of Engineers may be closed. Please check by visiting corps websites.

https://parks.ky.gov/covid-19-information

In West Virginia 

In response to the ongoing COVID-19 public health situation and to protect the health of our visitors and staff, we have made the following closures and service changes:

• All park lodges are closed.
• All lodge services are closed.
• All cabins are closed.
• All restrooms are closed.
• Park restaurants have been closed. Curbside and carryout services is not available.
• Spa services at Berkeley Springs State Park have been suspended until April 18.
• Nature centers and museums are closed.
• Special events have been cancelled through April 19 or postponed to a later date. View our event calendar for more information.

To modify an existing lodge or cabin reservation, call 1-833-WVPARKS.

Day-use areas remain open for public use, so take a hike, bike a mountain trail, fish in an open stream or simply escape to your nearest park for a little relaxation during these trying times.

Safety remains the top priority for West Virginia’s state parks and forests. We have stepped up cleaning protocols, placed hand sanitizer throughout all facilities and are deep cleaning all facilities after use. We also are implementing all recommendations from the Center for Disease Control and the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources to protect visitors and employees from COVID-19 and prevent its spread.

Travel Alert

In Ohio 

Outdoor Properties

As of right now, public outdoor spaces at Ohio state parks, wildlife areas (with the exception of Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, it is closed), forests and nature preserves remain open, including trails, dog parks, and non-marina docks.

Other facilities including lodges, campgrounds, cabins, golf courses, restrooms, shower houses, playgrounds, APV areas, horse camps, and state park marinas are closed.

We are closely monitoring the situation and will make any changes that the conditions warrant for the health and safety of our staff the public. We will update the media and the public should any of our properties close unexpectedly.

http://ohiodnr.gov/odnr-operations-during-coronavirus-outbreak

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Properties (Beech Fork Lake, Lavalette side)

In light of all the recent concerns with COVID-19, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington District, announced it will continue to provide recreational opportunities for the public. Outdoor venues at Corps lakes, including boat ramps, trails, and fishing access sites will remain open at this time. Fishing access sites at Locks and Dams will also be open.

However, in the interest of public safety, facilities such as visitor centers, playgrounds, and restrooms will be closed until further notice.

While recreating at our facilities, the Corps would like to remind the public of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations on practicing “Social Distancing,” such as maintaining a 6-foot space between other people and not gathering in groups of 10 or more.

• Effective immediately all visitor centers and Project Offices are closed to the public until further notice.
• Parks, campgrounds, day-use areas or other recreational areas that have not opened for the 2020 recreation season will delay opening until further notice.
• In cases where closure of a day-use recreation area is not possible, public restrooms, group shelters, beaches and other amenities will be closed in order to promote Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommended precautions.
• Day-use fees will not be collected at these areas during this time.
• All scheduled tours, interpretive programs and special events will be canceled until further notice. Also, other events, such as fishing tournaments, organizers should contact Corps’ project offices for more information on cancellations.
• Campground and shelter reservations made through May 15 at recreation.gov will be cancelled automatically and a full refund will be issued. Cancellations for future reservations beyond May 15 will be processed at a later date depending on the length of the COVID-19 restrictions.  For future updates on cancellations, please continue to check back to recreation.gov.

These additional measures will be effective at each of the Huntington District’s USACE managed facilities throughout Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. Certain facilities are operated on USACE property by other entities under lease agreements, such as marinas and municipal parks. It is recommended the public contact those entities directly in regards to their current operating status.

“We are taking the CDC’s recommended precautions as we work to provide a safe environment for our visitors,” said Kelly Finch, Huntington District’s Chief of Operations. “Public safety and the safety of our employees will always be our top priority, and every effort will be made to assist in efforts to contain COVID-19.”She added, ”Although there are some public access restrictions, all of our dams for flood risk management and locks for navigation will remain fully operational.”

Huntington District leadership continues to monitor and assess the situation and will keep the public informed of any additional updates.

(The public can obtain news, updates and information from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Huntington District on the district’s website at www.lrh.usace.army.mil , on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/USACELRH/ , and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/HuntingtonCorps.)

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