Cape May County will reopen its County Parks System effective 7 a.m. on Saturday, May 2.
However, there will be restrictions for social distancing while the coronavirus pandemic continues.
Gov. Phil Murphy signed Executive Order 133 on Wednesday, allowing counties the ability to reopen their parks, after they were ordered to be closed under Executive Order 118.
The Cape May County Park system includes Park Central, Park East, Park North, and Park South. A separate Executive Order 107 that was signed on March 21 prohibits any zoos from being open and remains unchanged currently.
Therefore, the Cape May County Zoo will remain closed to the public. The animals continue to be cared for by the county zoo staff. Questions about municipal parks should be directed to the individual municipality’s government.
“We are happy to reopen our parks to assist with the mental health of our county residents,” said Cape May County Freeholder E. Marie Hayes, liaison to the county parks. “It is also important to provide additional safe places for people to get out and exercise.”
While the parks are reopening, the remaining areas will remain closed according to the governor’s order: picnic areas, playgrounds, pavilions, restrooms, and any interior buildings.
Also, the same executive order states that employees and visitors should wear cloth face coverings while in all settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
Parking must be limited to 50 percent of the maximum capacity at one time. No picnicking shall be allowed.
Social distancing of six feet must be maintained, excluding family members, caretakers, household members or romantic partners.
No organized or contact activities or sports shall be allowed and no gatherings of individuals will be allowed.
“This is a small first step to getting people back to our new normal,” said Cape May County Freeholder Director Gerald M. Thornton. “We must continue to take precautions and act wisely to limit potential exposure to COVID-19.”
