Mare Island Preserve In Vallejo To Open For Extended Hours

VALLEJO, CA — The Mare Island Preserve in Vallejo will be open for extended hours on Monday due to "overwhelming response" to the announced Memorial Day ceremony being held at the cemetery there on Monday.

The area, closed since last October after wildfires burned 40 acres, will be open from noon to 5 p.m. "for visitors to pay their respects and enjoy the beauty of the preserve," the city said in an announcement.

A Memorial Day service that starts at 10 a.m. Monday has already reached maximum capacity through advance registration "and some registrants will only be able to enter the preserve at noon" due to novel coronavirus concerns.

Registration priority for the service was given to senior veterans who requested to attend, the city said.

Those who want to view the ceremony but were unable to gain admittance can watch a recording that will be made available online shortly after the service has ended.

While the preserve will be open to the general public at noon, on-site security will limit the number of people and cars allowed at any given time, and social distancing protocols will be enforced.

Visitors are strongly urged to wear masks when passing others on trails and sidewalks.

The Mare Island Preserve is reopening for limited weekend access as of May 29, with open hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Security will limit admission to 50 people and 30 vehicles at one time for visitor safety and visitors will be expected to observe social distancing, with face coverings recommended.

The reopening is for a limited time at first, because the Army Corp of Engineers tentatively plans to resume construction and fire hazard reduction in July, which will require closing the preserve until the project is complete.

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