It’s a proactive measure, he says, to limit public use during a holiday weekend known for big gatherings in parks.

“If the rangers do see people congregating they can be approached by rangers and will be talked about the importance of social distancing and encouraged to leave,” he added. “People can walk through parks that connect them to trails.”

But they won’t be ticketed, Casparis says.

The decision does not include trails or facilities along them, because he says “people use the trails to commute to and from work.”

Park staff will monitor the trail systems, Casparis says, to make sure people are maintaining proper social distancing. He says all closed facilities will re-open on Monday, April 13. You can see the latest status of the system's parks here.