Wisconsin State Parks were kept open during the COVID-19 pandemic - and made fee-free - as a way to help people have places to enjoy the outdoors and have room for social distancing. Apparently, between problems with trash, vandalism (c'mon people, stop that crap!), and issues with social distancing and maintaining cleaning supplies, it was announced through the Wisconsin DNR that Governor Evers has ordered 40 of Wisconsin's state parks and recreation areas to close until further notice, starting tomorrow. Most of them are in our part of the state,
Gov. Evers issued the following statement in a news release:
“I wanted to keep state parks open for the public to enjoy during this challenging time which is why outdoor activity is listed as an essential activity under the Safer at Home order. Unfortunately, growing difficulty with ensuring social distancing compliance, dwindling cleaning supplies and mounting trash are some of the challenges faced by our state parks staff. We have to address the growing public health and safety concern and protect Wisconsinites.”
The State Parks in question will close at the end of the day today (Thursday, April 9th) and remain closed starting tomorrow (Friday, April 10th) until further notice:
Southeast Region
Big Foot Beach State Park, Harrington Beach State Park, Havenwoods State Forest, Kohler-Andrae State Park, Kettle Moraine State Forest Lapham Peak, Loew Lake, Mukwonago River, Northern Unit, Pike Lake, Southern Unit, Lakeshore State Park, and Richard Bong State Recreational Area
South Central Region
Aztalan State Park, Belmont Mound State Park, Blue Mound State Park, Cadiz Springs State Recreational Area, Capital Springs State Recreational Area, Cross Plains State Park, Devil’s Lake State Park, Fenley State Recreational Area, Governor Dodge State Park, Governor Nelson State Park, Lake Kegonsa State Park, Lower Wisconsin Riverway, Mackenzie Center, Mirror Lake State Park, Natural Bridge State Park, Nelson Dewey State Park, New Glarus Woods State Park, Rocky Arbor State Park, Sauk Prairie State Recreational Area, Tower Hill State Park, Wyalusing State Park, Yellowstone Lake State Park, Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area, Pewits Nest State Natural Area, Parfrey’s Glen State Natural Area and Dells of The Wisconsin River State Natural Area
Northeast Region
High Cliff State Park
More than half of state parks, forests, and recreation areas will remain open, most of which are in the northern part of the state. They include:
- Amnicon Falls
- Brunet Island
- Interstate
- Kinnickinnic
- Lake Wissota
- Pattison
- Straight Lake
- Willow River
- Chippewa Moraine
- Brule River
- Flambeau River
- Governor Knowles
- Chippewa Flowage
- Totogatic
- Mendard Island
- Pike Wild River
- Pine-Popple Wild River
- Turtle Flambeau
- Willow Flowage
- Big Bay
- Copper Culture
- Copper Falls
- Council Grounds
- Governor Thompson
- Rib Mountain
- Menomenee River
- Peshtigo
- Northern Highland American Legion
- Hartman Creek
- Heritage Hill
- Lost Dauphin
- Newport
- Peninsula
- Potawatomi
- Rock Island
- Whitefish Dunes
- Fisher Creek
- Point Beach
- Buckhorn
- Merrick
- Mill Bluff
- Perrot
- Roche-A-Cri
- Wildcat Mountain
- Black River
Again, no word in when the closed parks will re-open, but of course we'll let you know! Meanwhile, stay safe.