Tennessee state parks reopen Friday with CDC guidelines still in place

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Tennessee state parks reopen to the public Friday morning, but they will reopen will some rules to keep your family safe.

While these parks are back open, State Parks Commissioner David Salyers asks that you still maintain the CDC guidelines to continue to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

They ask that you still practice social distancing while outside, and don't gather in groups of more than 10. In addition, the state may limit the number of people at the parks when it starts to get too crowded and limit the use of their bathrooms.

Salyers says reopening the parks is important.

“The outdoors is an important stress reliever for Tennesseans who have been cooped up and isolated a little bit. Several studies have showed being outdoors and being in nature really does us a lot of food mentally and physically,” said Salyers.

If you plan to come out here this weekend, the commissioner says to plan ahead. They expect the state parks to get busy, and say they won't hesitate to close them if they get too crowded.