King County Parks And Trails Will Reopen Friday

KING COUNTY, WA — Over 100 parks across Washington reopened to the public Tuesday, and King County's parks and trails are following not far behind.

King County Parks announced that all of their parks and trails, including their regional and backcountry trails, will be reopening on Friday, May 8. The reopening also includes all of the county's fields, docks and boat launches.

However, there are some restrictions and new safety guidelines visitors will be expected to follow. "High touch" facilities like restrooms, courts, playgrounds and picnic shelters will remain closed. Visitors will also have to practice safe social distancing, keeping a six foot space between themselves and others, and avoiding gathering in large groups. King County Parks says that means there are no team sports or pick-up games allowed, even though their fields are open.

Officials warn that if visitors are caught breaking the rules too many times, there could be consequences for everyone.

"Where parks and trails are experiencing overcrowding and where safe distancing is not occurring, we will need to recommend re-closing those facilities to prevent the spread of infection," said Public Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin. The county says they will be watching to make sure that everyone follows those safety guidelines.

Here's the full breakdown of what King County Parks is and is not reopening on Friday:

• Backcountry trails: open
• Ballparks: open, but no organized activities allowed
• Sport courts: closed
• Campgrounds: closed
• Community centers: closed
• Community gardens: open
• Climbing wall at Marymoor Park: closed
• Disc Golf at Dick Thurnau Memorial park: closed
• Docks and boat launches: open
• Fields: open, but no organized activities allowed
• Fishing spots: open
• Jerry Baker Memorial Velodrome: open, but no organized activities allowed
• Katherine Taylor Equestrian ParkL but no organized activities allowed
• Marymoor Park's off-leash dog area: open
• Parking lots: open
• Picnic shelters: closed
• Playgrounds: closed
• Regional trails: open
• Radio control air fields: open
• Restrooms/toilets: closed
• Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center: closed

Visitors to all facilities are advised to try and stick to their home communities if possible to avoid spreading the virus to rural areas. Visitors should also plan ahead and be prepared to go to a different park if their first choice is too crowded, and should also take any and all garbage they create home with them instead of leaving it at the park or trail.

The parks are opening just in time for some great outdoor weather: the National Weather Service is predicting temperatures in the mid-70s Friday.

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