JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (WTXL) — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that Florida state parks will be allowed to reopen on Monday in conjunction with the first phase of his re-opening plan.
DeSantis made the announcement during a news conference on Friday.
"Today I'm announcing as part of phase 1, that beginning Monday, May 4, Florida's world-renowned state park system will be opening," the governor said during the press conference in Jacksonville.
Along with that, access to trails, and some day use areas, including some beach access with limited facilities will re-open on Monday as well.
The selected reopened state parks will have limited facilities.
Reopened beach areas allow visitors access to active recreation only, which includes walking, jogging, swimming and fishing. No sunbathing, chairs, canopies or coolers are allowed in beach areas right now.
State parks will resume normal operation hours of 8 a.m. to sunset, with the exception of beach areas. Access to beach areas will have reduced daily hours to ensure social distancing.
Visitors will be asked to practice proper social distancing and to limit group size to 10 or less and to stay six feet apart.
DeSantis said the parks being open are an important part of the quality of life for residents in the state.
The announcement comes after DeSantis unveiled his reopening plan earlier this week, which allows restaurants and retail stores to operate with 25 percent indoor capacity.
For a complete list of open parks and available amenities, visit floridastateparks.org.
