MADISON (NBC 26) -- A list of state parks, forests and recreational areas will close beginning Thursday under a new direction from Governor Tony Evers to the DNR.
The governor's office stated in a news release that the closures are to flatten the curve of coronavirus spread. The closures also come as the parks deal with, "unprecedented crowds, litter, vandalism," the governor's office said.
Governor Evers said he wanted to keep parks open for the public to enjoy, which is why outdoor activity is listed as an essential activity under the Safer at Home order. However, the governor said state parks staff are dealing with dwindling cleaning supplies and mounting trash. The governor also indicated that people visiting the parks are not complying with social distancing guidelines.
"If the public does not follow social distancing guidelines and vandalizes property, more state parks may have to close," the governor's office said.
The following areas will close at the end of the day Thursday, April 9, and will remain closed beginning Friday, April 10, until further notice:
Northeast Region
High Cliff State Park
Southeast Region
Big Foot Beach State Park
Harrington Beach State Park
Havenwoods State Forest
Kohler-Andrae State Park
Kettle Moraine State Forest Lapham Peak
Loew Lake, Mukwonago River
Northern Unit, Pike Lake, Southern Unit
Lakeshore State Park
Richard Bong State Recreational Area
South Central Region
Aztalan State Park
Belmont Mound State Park
Blue Mound State Park
Cadiz Springs State Recreational Area
Capital Springs State Recreational Area
Cross Plains State Park
Devil’s Lake State Park
Fenley State Recreational Area
Governor Dodge State Park
Governor Nelson State Park
Lake Kegonsa State Park
Lower Wisconsin Riverway
Mackenzie Center
Mirror Lake State Park
Natural Bridge State Park
Nelson Dewey State Park
New Glarus Woods State Park
Rocky Arbor State Park
Sauk Prairie State Recreational Area
Tower Hill State Park
Wyalusing State Park
Yellowstone Lake State Park
Gibraltar Rock State Natural Area
Pewits Nest State Natural Area
Parfrey’s Glen State Natural Area
Dells of The Wisconsin River State Natural Area
