TRENTON – In a brief message on social media, Gov. Phil Murphy said that he will sign an executive order reopening state parks and allowing county parks and golf courses to reopen as well.
This will go into effect on Saturday, May 2. Social distancing will continue to be mandated.
Regarding parks, the executive order only reopens state parks. It is unknown yet if county parks will reopen. Ocean County closed their parks before the state ones, for instance, because warm weather brought large numbers of people out and it was difficult to maintain social distancing.
A representative from Ocean County said that officials will review the governor’s executive order and make a decision today or tomorrow.
Governing bodies of several municipalities had recently urged the governor to reopen these recreation spots.
At the most recent Berkeley Township Council meeting, for example, the council passed a resolution. It stated “Whereas, in the short term, their closure may help to slow the spread of COVID-19 but the long-lasting effects of such closures are detrimental to the public’s mental and physical health.”
The township’s beach, in South Seaside Park on the barrier island, remained open. Councilman James Byrnes was concerned that if Island Beach State Park stayed closed, people would flood into the closest beach – South Seaside Park – and crowd out the locals.
Councilman Angelo Guadagno, who liaisons with the township recreation department, said Berkeley parks are open for passive recreation. However, ball fields and the skate park, and places like playgrounds where social distancing is impossible, were closed.
He said there was an incident where a man’s truck got stuck on the beach in South Seaside Park. Two locals went into their home, put on masks, and then helped him out.
During the most recent Toms River Township Council meeting, Mayor Maurice Hill said that he was part of a conference call with Murphy and other mayors when the governor intimated that this move was coming.
