Crews are working to prepare Moraine State Park for the April 4 easing of restrictions imposed during the coronavirus pandemic. State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources staffers work to install a dock at the Bear Run boat launch on the park's South Shore Friday.

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has announced coming changes to COVID-19 restrictions to state parks and their facilities.

The department had previously restricted state parks from hosting in-person programming, stopped the ability for volunteer work days and closed visitor center exhibit halls, interpretive areas and theaters in all parks.

Effective April 4, parks can host in-person programs outdoors with a limit of 40 participants per program, and volunteer work days can resume with a limit of 40 participants per group.

Dustin Drew, manager of Moraine State Park and McConnells Mill State Park, said the parks will adapt to the newly eased restrictions when the season officially begins in April.

“Biggest change is we'll be able to have some small groups participate in programs and work with volunteers a lot more,” he said.

Drew said Moraine State Park won't be affected by changes in facility capacity because the park does not have a visitor center or other public halls. Although not all the restroom facilities were open at the parks last year, he said they will likely all be able to open in April.The Gristmill at McConnells Mill closed for awhile last year, but reopened for self-guided tours with rooms sectioned off so visitors would not get too close to one another. Drew said the mill will probably operate under this method again this season until further notice.He also said the educational staff at the parks will have to plan for activities allowing 40 people sooner rather than later.“It would mainly affect our education staff that provides public programming,” Drew said. “Now they'll probably have to regroup a bit and plan sooner.”

Jennings Environmental Education Center is planning outdoor events for April, with visitors required to adhere to COVID guidelines while they are on park grounds, according to its website.The outdoor portions of state parks were able to remain open throughout the pandemic, and Drew said many people still visited Moraine last year. The park had to close its restrooms for a time and programming had to be virtual, but Drew said adjusting to the new regulations should not be too difficult for him and his staff.“The park is open, it remained open, our facilities are open and we have been able to sell lunch permits and assist visitors,” Drew said. “There was no public programs by our education staff, and everything had to be virtual in nature.”

A work crew at Moraine State Park fights the wind to install a dock at the Bear Run boat launch on the park's South Shore Friday.

Moraine State Park DCNR work crew members Justin Mulneix and Paul Kusick work on installing the dock at the Bear Run boat launch ont the park's South Shore Friday.