A Message from the State Parks Director About Park Closures

New Mexico, like the rest of the world, is currently in uncharted territory. COVID-19 is spreading rapidly and as of this submission (March 19, 2020), New Mexico has 23 positive cases. This is a disease that spreads through close contact and is especially dangerous to the elderly and people with compromised immune systems. That’s why on March 15 the governor directed all state parks, museums, historic sites and cultural institutions to close temporarily through April 9.
This decision was not made lightly. I’ve spent 22 years working in the New Mexico State Park system and I love each of our treasured outdoor spaces. But the facts are facts, and by reducing public interactions we can slow the spread of this disease.
By temporarily closing parks, we are reducing the public’s interaction with each other and with State Park staff. For every visitor to a State Park, we need staff to provide operational park management: collecting fees, cleaning facilities and campgrounds and providing law enforcement. Each one of these interactions creates a new opportunity to spread the virus. It’s a risk we cannot take.
We know this is hard. The outdoors provide solace and an opportunity to connect with nature at times like this. We know that this will have an impact on the local community. But we also know that New Mexicans are resilient and that our state government is working round the clock to assist impacted workers and businesses. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has extended unemployment eligibility requirements for workers who are impacted by temporary closures. The New Mexico Economic Development Department is offering a new loan program to businesses impacted by COVID-19 closures.
These are hard times, but we will get through them together. Right now, it is important for all New Mexicans to practice social distancing, avoid large gatherings and wash their hands. We need to take these measures now to protect our communities and each other.
-Christy Tafoya State Parks Director