CAMPS, PARKS, museums in state to close.
Some state parks, museums also to shut down; trails, fishing remain open
Another tourism entity, Magic Springs Theme and Water Park, announced Thursday it has postponed opening day, originally scheduled for April 18, until May 16.
HOT SPRINGS — All visitor centers and campgrounds in the Vicksburg District are temporarily closing due to the coronavirus pandemic, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said Thursday.
The campgrounds, which include both Lake Ouachita and DeGray Lake, will close on Monday.
Also Thursday, Stacy Hurst, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, announced closings or limited access to some of the state’s parks and museums in response to the covid-19 pandemic, effective today.
A news release from the department said state lodges, cabins and campsites will remain open, but daily housekeeping will not be provided. After a stay is over, the room will be cleaned and sanitized for the next guest, using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Restaurants will be open for carryout only.
The lobbies of the state’s 13 Welcome Centers will close until further notice, the ADPHT news release said, and the Division of Arkansas Heritage’s Little Rock museums will close to the public until further notice. This includes Historic Arkansas Museum, Mosaic Templars Cultural Center and Old State House Museum.
Another tourism entity, Magic Springs Theme and Water Park, announced Thursday it has postponed opening day, originally scheduled for April 18, until May 16.
“We have specific, stringent sanitation protocols in place for every operating department. In preparation for Opening Day and while closely monitoring the evolving situation, we have put in place plans to redouble our rigorous sanitizing protocol and will continue to follow the guidance of state and local health agencies,” Magic Springs said in an email update.
Campers currently staying at Vicksburg District campgrounds have been asked to leave no later than 4 p.m. Sunday, Reagan Lauritzen, public affairs chief for the Vicksburg District, said.
“Effective immediately, all campgrounds are not accepting new reservations,” Lauritzen said.
The visitor centers, interpretive centers and field offices all closed on Thursday.
Lauritzen said most trails within the district will remain open except for those that have trailheads that start within campgrounds. The gates at campgrounds will be locked, cutting off access to those trails.
Lauritzen said none of the trails at Lake Ouachita or DeGray Lake will be closed at this time, noting, “No limitations on trails or hunting.”
The Centers for Disease Control
has recently recommended that no meetings of more than 10 people occur and the Corps has “had to cancel events due to coronavirus,” she said.
Fishing is still an option at the lakes, Lauritzen said, noting “boat ramps will still be open,” as well as “restrooms and fish cleaning stations.”
“These decisions were made with the health and safety” of both visitors and Corps employees in mind, she said.
The public will be unable to receive in-person customer service or purchase recreation passes from all of the district’s visitor centers, interpretive centers and field offices beginning today.
“The public is encouraged to contact the offices and centers via telephone for customer service and to purchase recreation passes online at the following link: https://store.usgs.gov/pass,” the Corps of Engineers said in a news release.
All scheduled campground reservations after Sunday will be canceled. Refunds will be provided through Recreation One Stop, which is available online at Recreation.gov or via telephone at 877-444-6777.
Arkansas State Parks visitor centers will only be accessible for camping/lodging check-in, and trail access, but exhibits and gift shops will be closed, it said.
Parks will continue to provide some restroom access. At the discretion of park superintendents regarding labor and supplies, some restrooms may close.
Trails, picnic areas, and outdoor pavilions remain open, but groups holding reservations should contact the park. Group size, meeting location, etc., will affect the ability for events to proceed, the release said. Playgrounds are closed.
Marinas and boat ramps remain open with availability of rental equipment that will be sanitized following each use. Gift shops will be closed, it said.
Golf courses remain open. Pro Shops will open to accept golf fees only. Gift shop and club rentals are closed. Cart rentals continue and are cleaned and sanitized between rentals.
All interpretive programming, events and workshops are canceled until further notice.
“We believe the closing of welcome centers, heritage museums and some limiting of access and services at our parks is the best thing to do for our visitors and our staff,” Hurst said. “People can still come enjoy our beautiful state parks, where social distancing is achievable; but they can also get some great stress relief by hiking or biking our trails, enjoying our lakes, or just sitting still and taking in the great outdoors.”
“All guest and team member high-touch points including surfaces, railings, technology screens, handles and doors will be sanitized throughout the day as per regular policy. Hand sanitizer and anti-bacterial soap will continue to be available throughout the park and signs will be installed to remind team members and guests of health and hygiene best practices,” Magic Springs’ email said.
“In addition to the steps outlined above, we will ask team members who are exhibiting cold or flu-like symptoms to stay home and contact their health care provider. The park will follow guidance from local and state officials, as well as the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO),” it said.