Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
A fisherman casts a line Wednesday morning from his boat in Ute Lake State Park in the Logan Park area. The park in Logan reopened that day for the first time in two weeks after several employees became sick and were confirmed with COVID-19.
LOGAN - Ute Lake State Park reopened Wednesday on a limited basis for day-use recreation after being closed for two weeks when several employees there showed signs of coronavirus and later tested positive for the disease.
The Logan Park area reopened, which includes the McFarland boat ramp, marina and marina boat ramp.
"Other areas of the park would remain closed for the near future as the park manages in line with the public health order with reduced staff," stated public information officer Susan Torres.
A check Wednesday morning at the Logan Park area showed just two boat trailers in the nearby parking lot and one fisherman in a boat on the lake. That was less than 24 hours after the announcement of the park's reopening.
The visitors center of that part of the lake remained closed, with yellow "do not cross" tape strung across the sidewalks approaching the facility. Torres said all those facilities across the state would remain closed because of the public health order.
Ute Lake State Park closed Aug. 12 after several employees the previous day showed symptoms of COVID-19 and were placed under a 14-day home quarantine.
The state's COVID-19 rapid-response team database later confirmed five state park employees had tested positive for the virus.
Torres said in an email Friday that three employees who tested positive have been cleared to return to work.
Before the park's closing, Ute Lake had 10 employees in rotation. Torres said seven were working last week.
"The seven employees now available represents one less seasonal employee who returned to school," Torres wrote.
Public facilities park also underwent a thorough cleaning during the closure.
Ute Lake State Park was the only one in the state park system to have closed because of COVID-19.
Hours at Ute Lake State Park are from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.
The state's Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department also announced Friday that overnight use of parks and their campgrounds would remain off-limits through Sept. 18 because of the pandemic.
Wearing a mask or other face coverings is mandatory in public settings that include state parks except when eating, drinking or swimming unless a healthcare provider instructs otherwise. Groups of people are limited to 10 people or fewer, and social distancing of 6 feet or more is recommended.
State parks remain open to New Mexico residents only. Group shelters remain closed at all state parks, and all events there are canceled.