The state is ready to begin returning to normal operations at Missouri parks.
“I will stress that we are in Phase 1 of what we are doing and social distancing is a key to it,” Parson said. “It’s going to take all of us to take that self-responsibility to make sure that you do take that upon yourselves, to abide by the rules.”
Specifically, Parson, along with the Director of the Department of Natural Resources Carol Comer, addressed how the state’s parks will be handled during the reopening.
“While safety, outdoor recreation and service to our visitors are all very important to us, the safety of guests and our team members remain our top priority,” Comer said.
According to Comer, state parks’ restaurants, shops, marinas and hotel-style lodging will be reopening gradually from Monday to May 15, with parks that had been previously been completely closed — Castle Wood State Park, Elephant Rock State Park, Watkins Wool and Mill and Weston Bend State Park — reopening for day use starting May 11. Comer stressed that overnight camping, pools, tours, beaches and other activities that don’t allow for proper social distancing protocol will still be suspended until May 18, at which time they will be reevaluated.
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