Staying physically active is one of the best ways to keep your mind and body healthy. In many areas, people can visit parks, trails and open spaces as a way to relieve stress, get fresh air and vitamin D, stay active and safely connect with others.
As a result, San Joaquin County Parks and Recreation will begin to re-open some regional and community parks beginning Monday, May 18, 2020.
Due to COVID–19, the Parks Division will be enforcing social distancing restrictions aimed at keeping park guests and employees safe and healthy.
The current order implemented by the San Joaquin County Public Health Officer requires adhering to the rules of social distancing, avoiding gatherings and staying at home whenever possible. Park closures may be reinstituted if social distancing protocols are not followed.
There is a list of what park visitors can and cannot do that should be adhered to.
The ‘do’ list includes: Visit parks that are close to your home; stay home if you are sick or do not feel well; prepare for your visit by checking the San Joaquin County Parks website, www.sjparks.com for the latest information on open and closed amenities; stay at least six feet away from others (“social distancing”) and take other steps to prevent COVID-19. Also, read posted signs and obey all park rules.
As far as what not to do: Do not visit parks if you are sick or were recently exposed to COVID-19; participate in organized activities or sports; gather with others outside of your household; use any restricted or closed amenities. Also, there are no bounce houses, amplified sound, BBQ’s, generators, kiddie pools, tables or chairs allowed.
Micke Grove Regional Park, Lodi; Oak Grove Regional Park, Stockton and Community Parks will be open Monday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., park fees will apply.
Amenities that are open will be: Disc golf (without baskets), fishing, trails, restrooms, single family picnic tables, walking, biking, running, Japanese Garden.
Those amenities remaining closed at this time include: Playgrounds, BBQs, covered picnic shelters, multi-family picnic tables, horseshoe pits, drinking fountains, water play areas, Micke Grove Zoo, Oak Grove Nature Center, Memorial Building, Boat House.
The following parks will be open for Day Use Only: Dos Reis Regional Park and Mossdale Crossing Regional Park, both in Lathrop; Westgate Landing Regional Park, Lodi and Stillman Magee Regional Park, Clements. New park hours will be Monday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 30 minutes before sunset. Parking fees apply.
Open at these parks will be: Boat launch (where applicable), fishing, restrooms, single family picnic tables, walking, biking and running. Closed at these locations will be camping, playgrounds, BBQs, horseshoe pits, drinking fountains and water play areas.
The Park Division Administrative Offices will remain closed to the public but questions about park openings or future reservations can be answered by calling San Joaquin County Parks and Recreation at 209-953-8800, by e-mail at parks@sjgov.org, or by mail.
As this is a fluid situation, the public can keep up to date on closures at www.sjparks.com. Those interested in more information are encouraged to visit San Joaquin County Public Health Services www.sjcphs.org, California Department of Public Health at www.cdph.ca.gov or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
