Portland, Ore. — Portland General Electric today announced it has temporarily closed the 14 parks and recreation areas it operates at locations in Columbia, Clackamas and Jefferson counties, effective immediately. The closure will remain in place until at least May 8 to support mandatory public social distancing orders Governor Brown and local officials across Oregon have issued to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.
“Our most important obligation is the safety of our visitors and our staff,” said Tony Dentel, PGE’s parks and recreation manager. “We will continue to make preparations for all our parks to open beginning in May, with hopes that responsible social distancing measures will allow us to make these natural places available for families to get outdoors during the summer recreation season.”
PGE’s popular campgrounds at Timothy Lake near Mt. Hood, on the Clackamas River’s Lake Harriet and North Fork Reservoir and near Lake Billy Chinook in Central Oregon were not yet open for the season. Other facilities are normally open year-round, including Timber Park in Estacada and Trojan Park near Clatskanie, but are now closed to reduce potential public exposure to COVID-19.
PGE will review the closure as needed to comply with state and local orders during the pandemic.