NEW CITY, NY – County Executive Ed Day and the County Division of Environmental Resources announce the re-opening of County Parks effective 6:00 AM, Friday, May 1, 2020, with the exception of H. Pierson Mapes Flat Rock Park in Hillburn which will remain closed for the foreseeable future.

Parks will be open for WALKING ONLY; social distancing and walking directional signs will be posted throughout the parks. Amenities and facilities such as restrooms, playgrounds, pavilions, picnic tables, all lawn areas, park benches, fishing piers and dog runs will be restricted from public use and will remain closed. Parking will only be permitted in designated parking lots and reductions in the number of parking spaces will be instituted in some parks. Side street parking will also be restricted.

It is recommended that those who visit the parks wear a mask or face covering.

“We closed our Parks three weeks ago to get through what public health experts were calling a critical time to slow down the spread of COVID-19. Thankfully we have seen steadily declining hospitalizations due to this disease but we want to take a thoughtful and unified approach to any reopening actions,” said County Executive Day. “I want to acknowledge Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco; we have been working towards a regional approach to this reopening and I was pleased to see NJ Gov. Murphy take action on this today. Additionally, I want to thank Governor Cuomo for his attention to this situation. County Executive Tedesco and I are urging our respective residents to patronize the parks only within their home County. The use of County Parks is intended for County residents only.”