Beaches Reopen this weekend!
Last weekend we celebrated Memorial Day and this weekend beaches will reopen! Gov. Ralph Northam said Thursday that all public beaches statewide could begin reopening. While this is very exciting, safety remains a top priority so make sure you know what is expected at individual beaches in the area:
Yorktown Beach
- Sunbathing, swimming, and recreation are permitted.
- No groups larger than 10 are allowed and social distancing must be practiced.
- Group sports, tents, and alcohol are prohibited.
- All public parking lots will be open including: Riverwalk Landing Parking Terrace, Beach Picnic Area, and parking lots at York Hall, County Administration/Courthouse area, and Archer Cottage (corner of Read/Water Streets).
- Waterfront restrooms will be open.
Jamestown Beach Event Park
- Open to swimmers and sunbathers.
- Social distancing and limit groups to no more than 10 people.
- Parking is available, but limited on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once the park reaches vehicle capacity, no other vehicles will be permitted in unless one leaves—there will be no pick-up or drop-off once capacity is reached.
- Pier, water fountains and picnic tables remain closed.
- No tents or group umbrellas or group sports (such as volleyball, football, Frisbees, etc.) on the beach.
- Grilling (personal nor park grills) is not permitted.
- Concessions are anticipated to reopen on June 8.
Buckroe Beach
- Open for swimming, sunbathing and playing in the sand.
- Limiting parking at Buckroe Beach – during this phase, the parking lot at the fishing pier (which is undergoing repairs) will be closed. The city will not open the overflow grass lots and will not run a shuttle bus to and from Jones Middle School. Barricades will be placed to notify people when lots are full. Lifeguards will be on duty and beach “ambassadors” will be on hand to remind people of the guidelines.
Fort Monroe
- Limit parking at the beach areas and will not allow any parking on the grass. Ambassadors there will share information about the rules.
- Lifeguards in the Outlook Beach and coves area.
- The privately operated Paradise Ocean Club will also open its beach.
- Salt Ponds and Grandview beaches already have limited parking, but ambassadors will be stationed there as well to provide information.
The city is also opening its two golf courses, The Hamptons and The Woodlands, as well as the clay-court Hampton Tennis Center. All facilities will open in a modified way that includes maintaining social distancing by not operating at full capacity. Please go online for more information on the golf courses, tennis courts, and safety measures that will be in place at all of the reopened facilities.
Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach opened on May 22 to recreational activity.
- Open for swimming & sunbathing
- Chairs and umbrellas allowed
- Parking limited to 50% capacity
- Social distancing of at least six feet from any other person, with the exception of family members
- No gatherings of more than 10 individuals
- No speakers
- No large coolers – 39 quarts or less
- No alcohol
- No tents, canopies OR groups of umbrellas (keep it to 1 or 2)
- No group sports (volleyball, football, Frisbee, etc.)
For more outdoor spots to hang out in check out these posts!
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