Jacksonville, FL - Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve is increasing recreational access. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and is using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.
Beginning May 5, Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve will reopen access to trails and boat ramps within the preserve including trails at Theodore Roosevelt Area, Spanish Pond and Cedar Point.
With public health in mind, Fort Caroline National Memorial and Kingsley Plantation remain closed at this time.
The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers.
While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding, and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.
The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19, and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.
We offer a variety of opportunities to explore the preserve virtually. Please visit www.nps.gov/timu to schedule a field trip for your class, explore the museum collection, take a virtual tour of Kingsley Plantation, enjoy a 360° video kayak tour and park introduction and discover the history of the area’s people.
Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on our website www.nps.gov/timu and social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
