Moraine marina likely will reopen on May 8
As marinas and outdoor activities begin to re-emerge from pandemic closures, Moraine State Park's staff is looking at opening a couple of facilities, including its public marina, on May 8.
Earlier this week, Gov. Tom Wolf announced allowing more outdoor recreational activities, including the limited reopening of some facilities and businesses, including golf courses, private campgrounds and private marinas.
Visits to Moraine have increased since the coronavirus pandemic began.
“March visitors were up 20 percent,” said Brian Flores, assistant park manager.
Flores said many people are hiking and fishing while maintaining social distancing, which the park's limited staff has encouraged.
“We're still patrolling and making sure people are safe, but we are not there to enforce social distancing guidelines,” he said. “That's really up to the park visitor to make that decision on their own.”
Flores said Moraine's staff received guidance from the state on reopening its marina.
Flores said the park needs to hire or rehire staff for the marina to reopen. This has delayed the state park's facility a week behind its private counterparts.
“We were not in the position to be open and ready for the public,” Flores said.
Flores said limited bathroom use also is expected to start in May. McConnells Mill could also see its public bathroom reopen, but the Grist Mill will remain closed.
Flores said docks remain open for use as they have been throughout the pandemic. Boating, kayaking and other water activities are open to the public.
In her news briefing Thursday, state Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine said outdoor recreation can be done safely and would not always require a mask. She said a mask is not necessary if someone is hiking alone on a trail, but “if you're going to be encountering people, then wearing masks is important.”
As more people are turning to Moraine for outdoor recreation, Flores asks that people keep in mind that a clean park is a healthy park. He said people should take everything they bring into the park home with them, especially trash.
“Really respect the resource and appreciate it for what it is,” Flores said.
