BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Trustees of Reservations has reopened 76 of their properties after initially closing them amid concerns over coronavirus.
The now open parks and historic sites include places like the Governor Oliver Ames Estate and the Mashpee River Reservation.
Executive Vice President Jocelyn Forbush said the initial decision to close the properties was because "many of these sites were really getting extremely crowded." This included overloaded parking lots and people not staying 6 feet apart.
But, as the crisis continued, it became clear that people had the need to get outdoors and experience nature safely.
"Been reinforced as an essential service. So, we feel like there has been an opportunity to open some of those, but we're really trying balance a safe experience for our own staff, but for visitors and for the community," Forbush said.
Trustees is asking any visitors to only go to sites in your own town or neighborhood, and to stay at least 6 feet away from other visitors. This includes stepping aside on any trails so that other visitors may pass.
Also, they are asking to keep your dog on a leash. And if a parking lot is full, they request you come back at a less busy time.
All other Trustees properties will remain closed until May 4.
WBZ NewsRadio's Chris Fama (@CFamaWBZ) reports
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