by Kevin Zimmermann
SHEBOYGAN, WI (WHBL) – Governor Evers on Thursday closed 40 State Parks, Forests and Recreation areas to the public due to heavy use amid concerns over the Coronavirus Pandemic. The closures include Kohler-Andrae State Park, Harrington Beach State Park and the Kettle Moraine State Forest units.
The “Safer At Home” emergency order issued last month specifically allowed recreation as an essential activity to maintain good health as long as social distancing was maintained and didn’t result in groups of 10 persons or more. State Park offices and facilities remained closed and largely un-staffed. What couldn’t have been anticipated was the spike in usage. Last weekend alone, a record 8,469 persons visited Kohler-Andrae, while Harrington Beach State Park at Belgium had an estimated 3,638 visitors that same weekend. That compares with Harrington Beach’s April average total of over 9600, and the unprecedented crowds along with litter, vandalism and the need to protect health and safety prompted the Governor to close the Parks effective today, and until further notice.
