County to keep parks open as long as rules are followed

Ozaukee County parks will remain open despite Gov. Tony Evers’ order last week closing most state parks, but that could change if park visitors don’t observe social distancing guidelines, county officials say.

“Gov. Evers’ state park closures will undoubtedly make our county parks a more attractive recreational opportunity,” Ozaukee County Administrator Jason Dzwinel said in a press release. “All parks have seen a high number of visitors during the Covid-19 pandemic but our observations are that the social distancing requirements are not fully observed.”

Dzwinel asked that park users not overcrowd the parks and stay at least six feet away from anyone outside of their immediate family and that they not gather in groups.

“If park crowding continues, the county will be forced to close parks that are needed today more than ever,” Dzwinel said. Lion’s Den Gorge in the Town of Grafton and Tendick Park with its disc golf courses in the Town of Saukville have been particularly busy, he said.

“Help the county balance the health and safety of the public with the benefits that parks provide,” Dzwinel urged in the press release.

The county parks superintendent has been patrolling and reminding visitors to socially distance, he said.

Dzwinel added that the county will enforce no parking rules along High Bluff Drive near Lion’s Den. Violators will receive a $150 ticket.

Meanwhile, Ozaukee Washington Land Trust officials said they are seeing “unprecedented demand” on the group’s 32 nature preserves in the two counties, all of which remain open, and urged users to observe safe practices. 

“At a time when our community needs access to nature more than ever, we are hopeful that we can keep our preserves open,” OWLT Executive Director Tom Stolp said in a press release.

Stolp urged preserve users to follow leave-no-trace practices, remove all waste and avoid crowded areas.

“If a parking lot is full, please move on to discover another nearby nature preserve and obey all local parking regulations,” he said.

He also urged users to report any suspicious activity or other concerns to local law enforcement or to OWLT at rwallin@owlt.org or by calling (262) 338-1794.

While law enforcement regularly patrols the nature preserves, the group is installing additional camouflaged security cameras in known problem areas. Full-time staff also will continue to monitor the preserves, Stolp said.