CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia State Parks reopened lodges and cabins Tuesday–the first time they have opened since mid-March when the COVID-19 pandemic brought nearly the entire state to a halt.
The restart of operations at the State Parks has been cautious and slow. The campgrounds restarted last week ahead of the busy Memorial Day weekend, but for in-state residents only. The lodges and cabins are for the time being also limited to West Virginia residents.
“We had very good success with that. Folks understood so it was pretty seamless as far as the campgrounds and we expect it to be the same with the lodges and cabins,” said acting West Virginia State Parks Chief Brad Reed during an appearance Tuesday on MetroNews “Talkline.”
Acting West Virginia State Parks Director Brad Reed joins @HoppyKercheval to talk about reopening West Virginia State Parks. WATCH: https://t.co/wkudfIRZCB pic.twitter.com/6xXOpI54Ew
— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) May 26, 2020
Most of the amenities within those lodges and cabins have also reopened, with the exception of the hot tubs and swimming pools. Reed indicated those would require more planning. The restaurants at park lodges are also open at 50 percent capacity in the indoor dining areas. State Park golf courses have reopened, but with the same stipulations as other courses with cart rental limited to one person unless from the same household.
Gov. Jim Justice sweetened the deal for West Virginians last week when he announced the reopening. Through August 31st all West Virginia residents receive a 30 percent discount on State Park lodging or camping. Reed said the public response has exploded.
“Our overall reservations for May are up 28 percent as a result of this and our resident reservations are up 58 percent from last year,” he said.
reed said he believes West Virginians are more comfortable travelling within the state where the incidence of COVID-19 have been lower than other states and a “stay-cation” might be a better option this year than a trip to the beach.
“What place could be better right now than to go to our parks,” Justice said in talking about the reopening during Tuesday’s daily briefing from the state capitol.