April 7, 2020

Ocean County was closed last week. See story from March 31, 2020 here most beaches already closed.

This closure does not include several Federally owned parks such as Gateway National Recreation Area. You can visit Gunnison Beach “Gunny Beach” in Sandy Hook — a known clothing optional nude beach and let everything air out, but you can’t go to the Union Transportation Trail in Upper Freehold Township or fish on the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area and enjoy the outdoors.

OPINION: Governor Murphy’s Bait and Switch leaves trout anglers on the hook: It is kind of interesting the first day of trout season was moved up to April 1, 2020 to entice people to get outside and enjoy the outdoors while practicing social distancing. The state needed to get people to purchase trout stamps and fishing licences bringing in cash to the Division of fish and game. Then 7 days later most trout stocked waterways are closed since the majority are on now closed state or county property due to executive order. Was that an April fool? This stinks like a dead fish.

Federally Owned Parks List Here Check Each Park To See Closures Due To COVID-19

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TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy today announced Executive Order 118, closing all state parks and forests and county parks to further social distancing measures. “My Administration’s top priority is to flatten the curve of new COVID-19 cases, so we do not create a surge within our health care systems and overwhelm the health care professionals who are managing our response on the frontlines,” said Governor Murphy. “We have seen far too many instances in our parks where people are gathering and socializing in groups and by closing these areas, we are further limiting public interactions to only the most essential purposes. Data shows that our aggressive efforts to flatten the curve are beginning to make a difference; however, we must continue our push to flatten it to the point where our day-over-day increase is zero.”Under Executive Order No. 108 (2020), municipalities still have the authority to keep municipal parks open or closed.The order shall take effect on Tuesday, April 7, at 8:00 p.m.For a copy of Executive Order No. 118, click here.

ALL STATE PARKS AND FORESTS CLOSED
To help limit the spread of COVID-19 in New Jersey, Governor Phil Murphy announced that effective at 8pm on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, all state parks and forests will be closed until further notice . This full closure includes all park lots, grounds, facilities, trails, playgrounds.

HIKING PROHIBITED
All park gates and entrances are CLOSED. Trail use is PROHIBITED. Save yourself the trip and STAY HOME to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

AREAS PATROLLED
New Jersey State Park Police will patrol park areas to ensure the public is following the Governor’s directives to stay home to help limit the spread of COVID-19.

WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER
To keep your family and our entire New Jersey family safe, stay home, practice good hygiene and follow all State and CDC guidelines concerning COVID-19.

MORE INFO
To learn more about COVID-19 or find resources, go to COVID19.NJ.GOV, text NJCOVID to 898-211, or call 211.

For updated parks information, please follow this Facebook page or visit the Division of Parks and Forestry’s website: https://njparksandforests.org

#NJStateParks

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Local Parks: Will add more to the list as closures expand:

Hamilton Township, Mercer County = Closed

In regards to the Governor’s decision to close all State and County parks beginning at 8pm tonight, April 7th, please see the below message from Mayor Martin:

As a result of today’s announcement by the Governor that he is closing all State and County parks as of 8pm tonight, I have ordered all municipal parks closed as of 8pm tonight.  This order pertains not only to Veteran’s and Sayen park but all “neighborhood” parks as well.  While I wanted all parks to remain open, I am concerned that if our parks remain open, they would not be able to safely handle the additional visitors.  It would put your safety, and the safety of our parks employees, in jeopardy and I cannot take that chance. Please continue to keep up your social and physical distancing, washing your hands, and abiding by all CDC recommendations.  By all of us working together, we will get through this together.  You all continue to make me #HamiltonProud!
For more information and to read the Executive Order click here.

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Robbinsville Township, Mercer County = Open as long as people practice social distancing.