Kerr Lake Park Watch Asks Cooper to Reopen State Parks
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-Information courtesy the Kerr Lake Park Watch Facebook page
Kerr Lake Park Watch (KLPW), a 900 member group of campers and park users who visit NC State Recreation Areas and Virginia State Parks on Kerr Lake, has sent a message to NC Governor Roy Cooper asking him to reopen state parks.
KLPW was founded in 2010 by Frank Timberlake, a native of the shores of Kerr Lake, and five other Kerr Lake campers.
According to KLPW’s Facebook page, the group sent the following information to Governor Cooper:
YOU NEED TO OPEN STATE PARKS, GOVERNOR COOPER
The state parks opened could provide citizens with some much needed open space, especially campgrounds.
▪ The parks already are gated with controlled access
▪ The parks are already patrolled by rangers who are law enforcement officers
▪ Rangers could enforce social distancing and other special pandemic rules and regulations
▪ Rangers can use the P.A. function on their radios to speak to anyone they see violating any social distancing and, if rules aren’t obeyed, the rangers can tell the visitor(s) to leave to avoid citation, all from the safety of their vehicle
▪ Campgrounds should be reopened as campsites are already socially distanced
▪ Reservations and check-in can all be handled online
Reopening the state parks will help ease tension as people can walk, hike, run, fish, camp and other safe activities while maintaining social distancing.
We are asking you to reopen state parks. There needs to be some special rules but the parks need to open and now!
WIZS Note: Governor Cooper is expected to lay out a three-part plan later this afternoon for lifting stay-at-home restrictions.