(WWJ) Bored of being cooped up at home, metro Detrotiers are turning out in droves to local parks.
And Danielle Mauter of Huron-Clinton Metroparks says they've been trying to limit capacity to 60%, and have had to shut down Stony Creek Metropark 10 times so far this season to further traffic, due to overcrowding.
The popular Stony Creek covers 4,461 acres in Washington Township, Oakland Township, with a little bit in Shelby Township, and Stony Creek Lake at its center.
Metroparks' attendance numbers were up 35% in May this year, Mauter said, even while portions of the parks — such as nature centers — were shut down. Overall, nearly 1.2 million vehicles have entered the 13 Metroparks, and the number of those playing disc golf has nearly doubled.
Mauter said some of it has to do with the warmer weather, but it seems to be linked more so to the COVID-19 lockdown.
"We do hear from our visitors very frequently that they're just excited that the Metroparks have been able to be open and to provide a space for them and their families to come on out, and get outdoors and get out of the house," she told WWJ's Sandra McNeill. "People are just ready to get out of the house and get outdoors and get summer started."
Mauter said there're still working on reopening popular summer amenities like pools and water slides.
"The splash pad at Indian Springs Metropark is open right now. The rest of our water facilities, we're working through some construction projects, some lifeguard training."
While virus numbers are dropping in metro Detroit, park-goers are asked to continue to practice social distancing, which means staying at least six feet apart from people outside of your own household.
To stay updated on capacity and other Metroparks closures, following them on Twitter @MIMetroparks.