Out of caution due to the spread of COVID-19, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has temporarily closed athletic fields and courts, such as basketball, tennis, handball, pickle ball, and bocce, throughout the state parks system through Tuesday, April 7, at which time the closure will be reassessed.
However, according to a DCR press release, all state parks across Massachusetts remain open to the public. DCR reminds residents and visitors to avoid gathering in groups of 10 or more people, maintain social distancing and practice healthy personal hygiene to stop the virus from spreading.
Similarly, DCR has extended the closure of agency-owned ice rinks, visitor centers, campgrounds, playgrounds, fitness areas and bathroom facilities until April 7, which will also be reassessed at that time. The closures — which, locally, impacted the Great Falls Discovery Center in Turners Falls and the Collins-Moylan Arena in Greenfield — were originally planned through Wednesday, April 1, when they were announced last week.
Furthermore, the agency will be removing trash receptacles throughout the state parks system to aid in the prevention of spreading COVID-19, according to the release. DCR asks that all visitors of state parks adhere to a “carry in, carry out” trash policy.
Additionally, in an effort to better inform state park visitors during the COVID-19 state of emergency, the agency has developed a Massachusetts State Parks COVID-19 webpage at bit.ly/2wAJLnp, which centralizes COVID-19 updates that impact the state parks system.