With more and more parks being shut down due to coronavirus concerns, record numbers of people are turning out to parks that have remained open, including Nevada County’s Empire Mine State Historic Park and South Yuba River recreation areas.

While the county’s state parks remain open, California State Parks Sierra District Superintendent Matthew Green on Saturday morning ordered the closure of high traffic parking areas due to health and safety concerns, including at Empire Mine and the South Yuba River parks.

“We’re trying to limit the possibility of larger groups gathering,” Ranger Marc Wetherbee said. “Last week, people were not heeding the stay-at-home order.”

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While Gov. Newsom’s order does allow for people to get out and exercise, rangers like Wetherbee see issues with social distancing while on narrow trails such as Buttermilk Bend near the Bridgeport Bridge, which can become crowded during the spring wildflower blooms.

“There’s a lot of single-track trails,” Wetherbee said. “But I’m seeing a lot more people hiking along the dirt roads near Rice’s Crossing.”

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Dirt roads are wider and allow for better social distancing when encountering people along the paths. Signs giving people tips on recreating safely at the parks have also been posted in English and Spanish.

Those visiting parks are asked: not to gather in groups or at picnic tables; stay more than 6 feet apart from folks hiking, walking, jogging, or biking; and to bring hand soap or sanitizer along with them.

Elias Funez is the Multimedia Reporter for The Union, a sister publication to the Sierra Sun. To contact him, email efunez@theunion.com, or call 530-477-4230.