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FAQ for DCNR Event Cancellations and State Park Closures Due to COVID-19 Updated 08:45 - 3/14/20

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FAQ for DCNR Event Cancellations and State Park Closures Due to COVID-19 Updated 08:45 - 3/14/20 FAQ for DCNR Event Cancellations and State Park Closures due to COVID-19 Updated 08:45 - 3/14/20 The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has closed three State Parks in Montgomery County for 14 days effective Friday, March 13 and one State Park in Delaware County for 14 days effective Saturday, March 14 to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus. In addition, all public programs, events and trainings in all state parks and forests will be canceled for the remainder of March and the month of April. With the exception of three state parks in Montgomery County and one state park in Delaware County, DCNR facilities throughout the state will remain open, pending any changes in COVID-19 spread. Q: What parks are closed? A: As of March 13, the affected parks are: Ridley Creek State Park in Delaware County; and Evansburg State Park, Fort Washington State Park, and Norristown Farm Park in Montgomery County. Q: What is the definition of a park closure? A: All of the parking lots and buildings at the parks, including park offices and restrooms, will be closed, and all events and public educational programs will be canceled. People should not visit the park; all recreation on park land and waters is closed, including hiking, boating, and fishing. Q: I have a reservation at one of the parks that are closed – what happens to my reservation? A: For overnight and day use facility rentals, your reservation will be cancelled or transferred to a later date. The Bureau of State Parks’ reservation system provider will notify all impacted reservation holders by phone with a follow up email to those customers with an email address. Options regarding refunds or transfers to another date or park will be provided at that time. Transfers and cancellations made prior to the closure notification will not be retroactively refunded. Instructions on how to exercise any options available will be provided in the call and email. We encourage patrons to wait for the call to ensure that we have had time to communicate with the reservation system call center the options available. For reservations made with a concessionaire in the park (i.e. a boat rental, a wedding, horseback ride, etc.), you will need to contact the concessionaire to discuss options for your reservation. Q: Are campgrounds, cabins, and boating still open in parks that are have not been closed? A: Yes, at this time, all facilities such as campgrounds, cabins, boat rentals, boat launches, marinas, etc. will be open. Any new facility closures will be announced via press release or on the park website under “Alerts”. Page 1 Q: What events are cancelled? A: Across the Commonwealth all public educational programs, special events such as races and festivals, and teacher and other trainings in state parks and state forests are cancelled until April 30. This includes programming by Friends groups and the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation and other partners. This also includes weddings, family reunions, fundraisers, trail rides or any other type of event that required an agreement or reservation. Q: I have a special event scheduled in March and April that was cancelled. Do I lose the money I paid to the park to have the event? A: If there is a multiple year agreement for your event, or multiple events in a year under one agreement, the administrative fee will not be refunded. If your event only occurs once (i.e. one-day festival, wedding, 5K run, etc.), and the event coordinator and the park cannot mutually find an alternative day later in the year, the Bureau is making a one-time exception and will refund the administrative fee. Please note, due to staffing restrictions and availability, refunds will be issued as soon as possible but may not occur until we return to regular operations. Q: I have a reservation in a park that remains open, and I want to cancel due to the COVID-19 virus, will the transfer or cancellation fee be waived? A: If the park remains open, and a customer elects to cancel for any reason, the refund agreed to at the time of the reservation applies. This will not be refunded retroactively if the park is closed at a later date. Please call 888-PA-PARKS (727-2757) to discuss your options with a customer service representative. For guests who made their reservation online, cancellations may be made online as well via the “Current Reservations” or “My Reservations” link in your profile up to the day of arrival. Q: I paid for a park program (i.e. school field trip, learn how to fly tie class, etc.) and the program has been cancelled. Will I be refunded? A: Yes. Refunds will be processed in order of occurrence. For example, programs offered on Saturday March 14 will be refunded before programs occurring on March 30. Q: What can I do help reduce the spread of COVID-19? A: To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, Pennsylvanians can: Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available Cover any coughs or sneezes with your elbow, not your hands Clean surfaces frequently. If you are sick, stay home until you are feeling better Practice social distancing Page 2 .
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