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Some Georgia state parks suspend or limit access to control crowds

By Audrey Washington, WSB-TV
By Audrey Washington, WSB-TV

ATLANTA — Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer, and there were a lot of people out enjoying the weather across metro Atlanta this weekend.

But obviously, this year is a lot different in the midst of a global pandemic.

At some Georgia state parks, there were limited admissions for hours on Sunday because there were just too many people out.

Channel 2′s Audrey Washington talked to officials with the Department of Natural Resources, who said they had to make sure everyone kept a safe distance apart.

In a YouTube video, the DNR urged people to keep a safe social distance. They also released a list of parks where access was limited or even temporarily suspended.

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“These are unprecedented times and circumstances may not be ideal during your visit, so we ask you to be courteous of other visitors and the rangers who are here to support you,” officials said in the video.

On the list of parks with limited admission in the metro Atlanta area Sunday were Red Top Mountain State Park and Sweetwater Creek in Lithia Springs.

Washington talked to park-goer Joe Petrow, who said he was trying to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on stopping the spread of the coronavirus.

“We’ve been trying to do our part by getting out here safe and keeping it safe and have a good time and get the mind right," Petrow said.

According to the DNR, based on visitor numbers this weekend, admission could be limited for several hours at a time.

To ensure safe social distance during this holiday, the DNR suggests people visit smaller parks or parks closer to home.

To check which parks are experiencing high visitation, click HERE.

Metro Atlanta community's pools open despite coronavirus concerns The City of Tucker has put a lot of new guidelines into place to keep people safe.

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