Portland, Ore. — Portland General Electric today announced tentative plans to reopen the 14 parks and recreation areas it operates at locations in Columbia, Clackamas and Jefferson counties on May 22. The company is aligning its plans with operators of other nearby local, state and federal recreation areas, to support gradual, safe easing of mandatory public physical distancing orders issued to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the novel coronavirus.
The PGE parks closure was originally announced March 23 to run until at least May 8. The new opening date of May 22 will be reevaluated as needed during the month.
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 typically open for the summer recreation season around Memorial Day weekend. Other facilities are normally open year-round, including Timber Park in Estacada and Trojan Park near Clatskanie, but are now closed to all uses due to public health risks during the pandemic. Several of PGE’s facilities are also subject to closure orders from the U.S. Forest Service or local or state agencies and cannot be reopened without their agreement.
PGE parks with campgrounds are still accepting reservations for dates after May 22, subject to cancellation if the closures are extended. Updated information is available online at www.PortlandGeneral.com/parks.