April 3, 2020
As part of ongoing efforts to help prevent the potential spread of COVID-19 and protect public safety, the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) will temporarily close the all CREW trails, effective at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 4, 2020.
Closure includes Bird Rookery Swamp, Flint Pen Strand, Cypress Dome and CREW Marsh trails.
The District follows the lead of local governments that have issued Safer at Home orders in their communities and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Florida Department of Health.
Read the official post from South Florida Water Management District blog: https://www.sfwmd.gov/news/sfwmd-temporarily-closing-crew-lands-southwest-florida-reduce-potential-spread-covid-19
I would appreciate hearing the rational for the closure of the Bird Rookery.
I go there four times a week and have not seen any groups standing near each other.
The Bird Rookery is one of the few places people can go to exercise, get fresh air and
recharge their batteries.
Have there been cases of people contracting C19 there? Have there been cases of
people not social distancing (people who didn’t come to the Rookery together?
I personally feel this is a poor decision unless there is proof that someone has or
could reasonably contract the virus here. Now we are left walking along the sidewalks of
Naples if we want to go outside. The less places there are for people to go, the greater the
chance that they will inadvertently contact each other.
Thank you. My family loves the Bird Rookery and wish this decision was reconsidered, and at least,
a rational reason was given.
I’m sad that the trails are closed, but understand that it is necessary during this time for everyone to be safer at home. I am happy that my friend and I were able to visit the Bird Rookery Swamp one last time before it closed and had the opportunity to see many birds, some alligators (one huge one on the trail) and an adorable family of otters. It was a wonderful visit for us as both of us are nature buffs and I was able to get some great photos. Hoping all of you stay safe and healthy and look forward to the time when we can visit the Swamp again.