Here Are the Biggest Arizona Stories from April 24-26
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Press Coverage April 2020 we’ve worked closely with the lake Weekend wrap-up: The Maricopa County Parks staff to develop a plan that will Here are the biggest Department says it’s been able to provide a safe environment for both enforce social distancing at Lake our park visitors and my team,” said Arizona stories from Pleasant, reporting about half as R.J. Cardin, Maricopa County Parks April 24-26 many park visitors as usual. and Recreation Department BY KTAR.COM Director. APRIL 26, 2020 AT 5:30 PM But during the first weekend of the year with triple-digit temperatures, Officials announced the following Lake Pleasant implements additional Parks Department spokesman R.J. changes set to take effect this restrictions to limit coronavirus Cardin says the county will be Saturday: spread restricting access to the lake between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. both Saturday Main Entrance Lake Pleasant Regional Park and Sunday. • The park will enter into adopted new closure guidelines a temporary mandated hard starting Saturday to mitigate the "If you’re planning to get in the closure from 11 am to 4 spread of coronavirus. park, obviously be here early in the pm on Saturday and Sunday at Park officials announced Friday the morning," Smith said. "We’ll close the main park entry. new weekend changes included a the entrance at 11 a.m., but there • No new entries/re-entries will hard close of the park’s main may be folks that are here at 10:45 be allowed into the park during entrance from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. all that won’t get in because the line is this period. weekend. backed up. So make sure you’re here well ahead of the 11 a.m. hour, and North Entrance (4-lane boat There were no new entries or you’ll be able to get into the park." ramp) reentries allowed into the park • The north entrance will be open during the closure. Those with campground on Saturday and Sunday from 6 reservations should arrive before 11 am to 9 am. Entrance into the There were also no same-day a.m. as well, but they will be allowed area will close at 9 am, and all camping reservations allowed for to call the park and arrange special boaters must exit the area by 4 Friday, Saturday or Sunday. access if necessary. pm on these days. • No new entries/re-entries into Maricopa County Weekend changes the area will be allowed after 9 a.m. Restricting Access made at Lake • A closure may be implemented To Lake Pleasant Pleasant to begin before 9 a.m. if physical- distancing park capacity This Weekend Saturday standards are reached in this By Scott Bourque Changes are being made to the area prior to the mandatory Published: Saturday, April 25, 2020 - weekend hours of Lake Pleasant and closure. 7:47am other lakes. • Updated: Tuesday, April 28, 2020 - By: abc15.com staff The area will remain closed 9:30am Posted at 9:56 AM, Apr 24, 2020 Monday through Friday. KJZZ PHOENIX — The Maricopa Camping Reservations County Parks Department is • Campers are encouraged to announcing new weekend changes at enter the park after 4 p.m. to Lake Pleasant and other parks to avoid closure protocols and to allow for physical distancing. remain inside the park during the mandatory closure periods. “This has been a learning experience • Same day camping reservations for all of us, and we’ve come to for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday realize that the COVID-19 strategies may not be booked at this time. that are working well in our mountain parks do not fully meet Shoreline Camping Rebecca Brisley/Cronkite News the lake’s needs. Over the past week, Lake Pleasant north of Phoenix. Page 1 Press Coverage April 2020 • There is no primitive, shoreline, Changes are coming to Lake • No new entries/re-entries will or boat camping available at the Pleasant. be allowed into the park during lake. this period. Starting this Saturday and Sunday, Trailheads Maricopa County Parks at Lake North Entrance (4-lane boat • The Beardsley Trailhead is Pleasant will be closing the entrance ramp) currently closed. on both days between 11 a.m. to 4 • The north entrance will be open p.m., meaning if you’re not inside on Saturday and Sunday from 6 Payments the park by 11, you’re out of luck. am to 9 am. Entrance into the • Payment may be made via They are doing this to ensure the area will close at 9 am, and all credit/debit card and/or annual safety of park employees and boaters must exit the area by 4 pass. visitors. pm on these days. • No new entries/re-entries into “What we want to do is promote Scorpion Bay Marina the area will be allowed after 9 opportunities for people to practice • Marina slip renters and a.m. good social distancing, and as a individuals with boat • A closure may be implemented result, closed all major picnic areas." reservations should be in the before 9 a.m. if physical- park by 11 am or after 4 pm on distancing park capacity “I’m surprised that they’re now Saturday and Sunday if at all standards are reached in this making restrictions on the weekend possible. area prior to the mandatory but maybe they see that it’s way too closure. • Individuals visiting Scorpion crowded,” said park visitor Karen Bay Marina should contact the Puddy. • The area will remain closed marina for further information Monday through Friday. on how the changes will impact “We saw probably 2 miles of people their visit. coming out,” said another visitor Camping Reservations • These changes only impact Lake referencing the park last weekend. • Staff will contact those with Pleasant Regional Park and do camping reservations to provide not impact the rest of Maricopa Scorpion Bay Marina’s general instructions on how the sites County’s regional park system. mangers said last weekend people may be accessed during the waited more than five hours, sitting closure. All changes will remain in effect in their cars just to get in. • Campers are encouraged to until COVID-19 restrictions have enter the park after 4 p.m. to been lifted. Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand avoid closure protocols and to Canyon. These are the stars of the remain inside the park during For additional COVID-19 regional United States' national parks system, the mandatory closure periods. park system updates, and with good reason. • Same day camping reservations visit MaricopaCountyParksCOVID- for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 19. “What we have been doing in the may not be booked at this time. past was one in one out. That has New weekend park just been too busy and crowds on Shoreline Camping the highways,” said Cris McSparen, • There is no primitive, shoreline, hours at Lake general manager at Scorpion Bay or boat camping available at the Pleasant Marina. lake. Monica Garcia Posted Apr 24, 2020 Officials announced the following Trailheads Source: 3TV/CBS 5 changes will take place Saturday, • The Beardsley Trailhead is April 25 currently closed. PEORIA, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) - Maricopa County Parks and Main Entrance Payments Recreation is set to roll out changes The park will enter into a temporary • Payment may be made via mandated hard closure from 11 am at Lake Pleasant Regional Park credit/debit card and/or annual this weekend. to 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday at pass. the main park entry. Scorpion Bay Marina Page 2 Press Coverage April 2020 • Marina slip renters and those visiting the parks would have a • Educating staff sick-leave, individuals with boat safe environment to hike, bike and teleworking policies, and reservations should be in the recreate in. COVID-19 preventative actions park by 11 am or after 4 pm on • Reviewing the CDC’s guidance Saturday and Sunday if at all For the past month, our department for businesses and employers possible. has been relying heavily on guidance • Individuals visiting Scorpion and expertise from Maricopa These guidelines, coupled with the Bay Marina should contact the County’s Public Health Department guidance we’ve received from Public marina for further information for the most up-to-date information Health, provide me comfort in on how the changes will impact on COVID-19 best practices and knowing we’ve taken the appropriate their visit. safety protocols for the parks. recommended actions to promote Our departments agree that exercise physical-distancing and safe is an important component of recreational experiences in the parks. Maricopa County overall health and wellbeing. Physical activity also helps support mental And, our parks will continue to Parks takes health and outdoor activity can be a follow these additional safety preventive actions great way to maintain mental health precautions until we are informed by to protect visitors while practicing physical distancing. the Board or Governor that they are Posted Thursday, April 23, 2020 3:08 no longer needed. pm Over the past month, our April 23, 2020 department has made difficult The department would also like to Daily Independent operational decisions to ensure remind the community that they MARICOPA COUNTY PARKS physical distancing in County parks. should continue to: AND RECREATION While the decision to close several • Stay home if they are sick or do DEPARTMENT popular trail heads and the northern not feel well. section of Lake Pleasant Regional • Visit parks that are close to your Park, while limiting the capacity for home. each park, was a difficult one for us • Prepare before you visit. Make to make.