Metro Vancouver closes regional park in Township of Langley due to coronavirus

LANGLEY (NEWS 1130) – Metro Vancouver decided to fully close Brae Island Regional Park in the Township of Langley on Wednesday and is considering additional restrictions to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The decision follows the closure of parking lots at Boundary Bay Regional Park, Deas Island Regional Park and Delta Heritage Airpark in the City of Delta.

All other Metro Vancouver Regional Parks are currently open, though facilities within them, such as playgrounds, docks, rental facilities and picnic areas, are closed.

“The majority of Metro Vancouver Regional Parks remain open because we understand that spending time in nature is a good way to reduce stress and take care of both your physical and mental health,” Sav Dhaliwal, Metro Vancouver board chair, says in a release.

Metro Vancouver says it will close regional parks where the rules are not being followed.

Metro has further increased staffing, parking lot traffic management and signage at regional parks.

“Metro Vancouver is reminding the public to respect the directives from the provincial health officer and to practice physical distancing at all times, even when they are enjoying the outdoors,” says the release.

To ensure regional parks remain open, users are asked:

  • maintain a physical distance of at least two metres from others, including in parking lots and trail entrances;
  • comply with closures of playgrounds, nature play areas and picnic shelters;
  • wash or sanitize hands frequently during the day and upon returning home from parks;.
  • dispose of any tissues in designated garbage bins.

Metro Vancouver also asks those who are sick to stay home.

“As the COVID-19 situation continues to unfold, every one of us must adapt our daily behaviors to reduce the burden on our healthcare system,” said John McEwen, chair of Metro Vancouver’s Regional Parks Committee. “Metro Vancouver will continue to monitor and manage visitor behaviour in all of its parks, and will take the necessary action to protect public health and safety throughout the system. We are all in this together; everyone needs to do their part to flatten the COVID-19 curve.”

Metro Vancouver’s Regional Parks system consists of 23 regional parks, five greenways, two ecological conservancy areas and two regional park reserves in communities from Bowen Island to Maple Ridge.

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