After shuttering for weeks to stem the spread of COVID-19, the National Park Service announced that Kennesaw Mountain and recreation areas along the Chattahoochee River will reopen Monday.
Additionally, visitors will not be required to pay for parking.
In a news release, the park service said it is increasing access to park grounds following guidance from the White House, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and health officials.
“The NPS is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis,” park rangers wrote.
Starting Monday morning, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park will reopen with access to all park trails and five parking lots, including the visitor center and overflow lots along Old Highway 41, the parking lot on Burnt Hickory Road and the parking lot on Cheatham Hill Drive.
The park has been closed to public since late March.
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The lot on top of Kennesaw Mountain will remain closed to cars, as will the horse trailer parking lot at the intersection of Powder Springs and Cheatham Hill roads. The visitor center at the base of the mountain and all restrooms will remain closed as well, officials said.
“The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount,” the news release said. “At Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, our operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance … While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited.”
Officials will also reopen park trails and river access at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
Starting Monday, parking areas at Abbotts Bridge, Medlock Bridge, Jones Bridge, two parking lots at Island Ford, Johnson Ferry North, Powers Island, Interstate North, Akers Mill and Paces Mill will reopen to the public.
Restrooms, picnic areas and the Hewlett Lodge Visitor Center will remain closed, however.
“We welcome visitors back to the park to use the trails and river for recreation,” Acting Parks Superintendent Ann Honious said. “Where parking areas remain closed or are full, we ask visitors to please park safely and legally, following all regulations, to assist in creating a safe visitor experience for all … We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.”
Additonal information about the parks reopening is available on the National Park Service website.
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