ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. — People in St. Lucie County will have more access to recreational areas starting on Thursday.
The county said it will begin to reopen parks and special facilities with limitations following state and federal guidelines.
The Savannas Recreation Area and Campground on Midway Road in Fort Pierce will begin taking overnight reservations with only 25 percent of the spaces available. That’s 16 spaces. Tent camping will be prohibited until further notice. Visitors cannot gather in groups of 10 or more. The dog park, playground, Palm Island, pavilions and picnic tables will remain closed.
The track at Lawnwood Stadium on Virginia Avenue will be open for individual use, but organized or group sports/practices is prohibited. The skate park on Virginia Avenue will also reopen with limited access. Only 10 skaters will be allowed in the park at the same time. If attendance becomes an issue, time will be limited to one hour. Skaters with active annual memberships will receive one extra month for free when their card expires because of the shut down.
The Lawnwood Tennis Complex will resume operations with only four players allowed per court. Additionally, Pepper Park Tennis and Pickleball Courts on North A1A in Fort Pierce will open with a limit four players per court at a time as well.
Horseback riding on the beach has resumed at Fredrick Douglass Park Memorial Park on South A1A in Fort Pierce for both the Tours on Horseback and individual permit holders. Those with annual permits to ride on the beach will be provided a 41-day extension from the time their certificate expires.
The St. Lucie County Fairgrounds on Midway Road will reopen for outdoor events such as dog shows and equestrian events with limited capacity.
The St. Lucie County Aquarium and Regional History Center remain closed until further notice.
Fairwinds Golf Course resumed operations on Friday, May 1 with limitations such as single-rider golf carts, expanded tee times and online/telephone book only. The Rusty Putter is open for take-out orders only.
While neighborhood and regional parks remain open for walking and jogging, St. Lucie County’s Parks and Recreation staff continues to keep playgrounds and athletic fields/basketball courts closed to comply with the Center for Disease Control’s social distancing guidelines.
St. Lucie County is also lifting many restrictions on public beaches starting Thursday.
Residents and visitors can now bring coolers, tents, blankets, umbrellas, and beach chairs, and sunbathing is allowed on beaches.
Pets and alcohol are not permitted on St. Lucie County beaches, and beachgoers are urged to practice social distancing guidelines.