As some parts of Oregon are expected to get temperatures in the high 80s this weekend, state officials are reminding people to continue following public health guidelines amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Although some Oregon State Parks have opened for limited day-use, both facilities and staffing will be limited, Chris Havel, spokesperson with Oregon State Parks, said.
And while warm, sunny weather might make the Oregon Coast look extra enticing this weekend, Havel is reminding people that no state park sites on the coast have reopened.
Havel said cities such as Seaside and, most recently, Cannon Beach have announced that all of their beaches are closed to the public.
Cannon Beach Thursday evening announced its beach closure, effective from 7 a.m. Saturday through 7 p.m. Tuesday for both residents and visitors.
"[I]t is extremely likely that such ideal beach weather will further entice visitors from the Portland metropolitan areas to visit the beaches adjacent to the city," Cannon Beach City Manager Bruce St. Denis wrote in an administrative order Thursday.
“Service at state parks is going to be a lot different than what you’re used to,” Havel said.
He said people can expect limited hours and staffing and limited trash and restroom facilities.
“We’re really asking you to check with the park before you visit,” Havel said. He also reminds people to only travel to parks that are close by.
“Travel as close to home as you possibly can,” he said. “There is still a ban on nonessential travel, so we need you to keep that in mind and make good choices.”
If people do choose to travel to newly opened parks, Havel said they need to follow social distancing and other public health guidelines. He also recommends people bring face coverings as well as other essentials parks may not have such as toilet paper, hand sanitizer and water.
Also, people who are feeling sick at all should not be traveling to any park, Havel said.
“If you see that a park is crowded and you’re not going to be able to maintain distance from other people, go back home, try later that day, try a different day, maybe not visit on a weekend,” he said. “We really need to keep crowds under control at a park and we don’t have the staff necessary to do that all on our own. We need people to cooperate or, frankly, this may not work very well.”
Havel said if people do not adhere to guidelines, the state park system could take action to re-close parks. He also said state park employees could potentially start staffing gates and regulating how many people are allowed in and out of a park at a time.
“The best way to manage people, though, is for people to manage themselves,” Havel said. “You are not in control of what anybody else does. You are only in control of yourself. So, it really is up to you to make a choice, even if that means you’re making a sacrifice and nobody else is.”
For state park sites, Havel said frequently visited spots, such as the north coast and the Columbia River Gorge, will most likely be the last places that are reopened.
A full list of open parks is available on the Oregon State Parks website.