Nearly all Oregon counties have qualified to reopen under Gov. Kate Brown’s phase one criteria and, with that, several Oregon State Parks locations have reopened along the central coast.
The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department has since May 6 slowly and quietly reopened parks to limited day use throughout the state on a daily basis, easing the public back in to avoid overcrowding.
Of the parks that have newly reopened, 20 have beach access. They range from Lincoln City all the way down the coast to the border with California. There are now more than 100 reopened Oregon state parks including Yachats State Recreation Area, Gleneden Beach State Recreation Area, Devils Punchbowl, Pete French Round Barn, and Wallowa Lake Highway Forest State Scenic Corridor.
OPRD spokesperson Chris Havel said the agency has been in close communication with counties along the coast and that both Oregon State Parks and the counties are now ready for visitors.
OPRD requirements to reopen parks include community and staff readiness, and evidence that they can safely manage the park to protect the health of visitors and staff.
But Havel said visitors should follow Brown’s new executive order to continue to minimize non-essential travel and comply with any Oregon Health Authority guidance. OPRD strongly recommends visitors to continue to stay local and not drive more than 50 miles to reach a destination.
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