BLUE SPRINGS, Mo. — The Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department has Memorial Day plans in place to provide a safe environment for visitors to its lakes over the holiday weekend.
Some got a head start, like Bob Huggins, a retiree from Grain Valley who was out on Lake Jacomo for a morning of fishing on Thursday.
"The social distancing and we’re not around crowds, it’s nice and peaceful out here," Huggins said. "It’s a beautiful lake, a lot of fish, it’s nice."
At Blue Springs Lake, boat owners were prepping for a weekend on the water, including Ryan Jennings of Lee's Summit.
"We are disinfecting and wiping down when we come and go and limiting people we allow on the boat, just close friends and family," Jennings said.
He also said he's ready for some fresh air.
"You get out into nature and forget the pandemic’s going on for a minute," Jennings said.
The county's marinas and lakes are open for business for the Memorial Day weekend. Jackson County is hoping for good weather and good crowds, and it plans to have new procedures and protocols in place to keep everyone safe.
Brian Nowotny, deputy director of park operations, said staff will be "maintaining limitations based on health department regulations for the number of people on the marina docks at one time.
"As long as they’re available, we’re still doing boat rentals," Nowotny said. "We have a limited number of boats that people can use."
Park rangers also will have extra protection.
"They all will have face protection and gloves and using that the whole time interacting with the public," Nowotny said.
The lakes are open and ready to welcome those in need of the great outdoors.
"Whether you’re young, children and families or seniors, getting that opportunity to get outside, get sunshine, be able to enjoy the outdoors is good for our spiritual, mental and physical health," Nowotny said.
