​Hillsborough County To Reopen Additional Conservation Parks

HILLBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — Hillsborough County will reopen many of its larger conservation parks on Tuesday, May 26, the latest in a series of gradual moves to restore county services.

In early May, the county opened most nature preserves, and neighborhood parks reopened earlier this week.

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The following conservation parks, trails, and boat ramps will reopen May 26:

• Lake Rogers Conservation Park, 9010 N. Mobley Road, Odessa
• Lake Park (hiking and equestrian trails only), 17302 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Lutz
• Northdale-Lake Park Trail, 15550 Spring Pine Drive, Tampa
• Edward Medard Conservation Park (boat ramp only), 6140 Turkey Creek Road, Plant City
• Sydney-Dover Trails Conservation Park, 536 N. Dover Road, Dover
• Dead River Conservation Park (walk-in/bike-in only), 15098 Dead River Road, Thonotosassa
• Harney Park Boat Ramp, 7115 N. U.S. 301, Tampa

The park reopenings give residents additional opportunities for recreation and exercise, but important restrictions remain in place. Parks users must obey social distancing guidelines, and portions of many parks, including picnic shelters, boardwalks, playgrounds and restrooms, will continue to be closed.

Visitors are encouraged to wear face coverings, use hand sanitizer and bring water to hydrate.

For a list of what's opened and what's closed in Hillsborough County, click here.

Tips On Safely Enjoying Parks

Follow these tips to protect yourself and others from the spread of the coronavirus when out in public places. Residents who do not abide by the social distancing requirements or listen to instructions given to them by county staff while enjoying the parks, will be asked to leave the property.

• Use Common Sense. Stay home if you are experiencing cold- or flu-like symptoms so you don't spread it to others in public.
• Practice Social Distancing. Social distancing is a public health practice that prevents people who carry the virus from coming into close contact with healthy people. Social distancing means remaining out of group settings, avoiding large gatherings and maintaining a distance of at least 6 feet from others when socializing and greater than 6 feet when exercising. Do not gather with more than 10 people in a group.
• Bring Your Own Water. Though parks are opening, the majority of amenities will remain closed, including water stations and restrooms. Prepare for your park visit by packing necessary items, like full water bottles and hand sanitizer.
• Wear Face Mask Coverings. Hillsborough County continues to urge residents to protect themselves by wearing face coverings when in community settings. In addition to maintaining 6 feet social distancing and limiting the size of gatherings, the Centers for Disease Control advises the use of face coverings to help slow the spread of the virus. Once done using, remember to properly dispose of or sterilize your personal protection items.
• Keep Hands Clean. Practicing basic hygiene at home, in the workplace and in public can help keep you and your family from contracting or spreading many types of illnesses, including coronavirus. Use soap and water when washing your hands and wash for at least 20 seconds. If you can't wash your hands, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Keep your hands clean by coughing and sneezing into a tissue, then throw it away.
• Wipe Down Equipment. Bring your own disinfectant wipes to wipe down any public surfaces before touching or when touching public equipment. But don't flush them when disposing of them.

Related stories:

• Hillsborough County To Reopen Nature Preserves; Parks Stay Closed
• Hillsborough County Reopens Neighborhood Parks