As restaurants, bars, and gyms remain closed for the foreseeable future, park attendance continues to climb.
Over the holiday weekend, Maricopa County Parks are imposing additional restrictions, as County Parks and Recreation Director R.J. Cardin explains.
“We have the playgrounds all taped off with caution tape, same with the large group picnic areas," Cardin said. "We will be having staff in the parks trying to guide people to the appropriate locations. We have certain parking lots that have been closed off, that have been barricaded.”
Cardin says most camping and day-use areas will enforce capacity limits, and may resort to one-in one-out once those areas are full.
“Our developed campgrounds are still open; however, we will not be allowing primitive camping or shoreline camping at Lake Pleasant Regional Park," Cardin said. "As a reminder, most of the campsites will be full this weekend, so it would be very wise to book a site online before you head out to a park.”
The Easter holiday is one of the most important holidays on the Christian calendar. Many families gather for large celebrations — but this year the Center for Disease Control and Prevention advises against that.
Maricopa County Disease Control Director Rebecca Sunenshine, speaking in an online Q&A session, recommends families turn to technology for togetherness this year.
"Maybe take a lesson from our businesses and use something like Zoom or another video chat application, so you can actually have a meal with your family but have everyone in their own homes," she said. "That’s something that I really recommend, you can connect but maintain that physical distancing."
