Dallas threatens to close parks, trails due to overcrowding as coronavirus spreads
Dallas officials warned Sunday they may have to close the city’s parks and trails to the public due to overcrowding and fears that people could spread the coronavirus.
In a statement, city officials said parks are too crowded and they have seen people not following social distancing rules, such as staying six feet apart. Two parks in particular — Katy Trail and White Rock Lake — have been overcrowded.
Officials are putting barricades at many entrances of the parks and trails, and will also limit vehicle traffic into parks.
If the parks remain overcrowded, the city will close all 397 trails and parks entirely, officials said in the statement.
“We encourage you to stay at home even though we recognize the mental and physical benefits of outdoor exercise and fresh air,” said John D. Jenkins, Dallas Park and Recreation’s interim director, in the statement. “While at the parks, we want visitors to practice social distancing of at least six feet.”
On Saturday, Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said on Twitter that the parks were too crowded and people needed to find more secluded trails.
“If your biking jogging are walking on a 12’ trail, breathing the droplets of hundreds of people going in the opposite direction your not being safe. Today, don’t go there...” he tweeted.
Sunday, Dallas County reported one death and 49 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of deaths to 10 and confirmed cases to 488.
