Antelope Island Expecting Big Crowds As Utahns Look To ‘Social Distance’

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Multiple Utah state parks reported higher numbers of visitors as Utahns looked for something to do while keeping their distance from others during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was refreshing to hear some laughter these days and kids playing like everything is normal.

However, parents knew things aren’t normal right now.

“We’re just trying to get through it,” said Tiffany Brinton.

Brinton decided to have a picnic with her children at Antelope Island State Park just down the road from her Layton home.

She felt getting outside for some fresh air was important.

“Yes, we’re going crazy. Even going outside, it’s hard. You go to the park, but you can’t go to the park because the kids can’t play on the playground,” she said. “So, we decided to come here to Antelope Island because we live so close and we never come out here.”

Utah state parks will remain open for visitors, but Governor Gary Herbert announced Friday afternoon that only residents of the county where the park is located will be allowed to use it.

We all play a part in keeping one another safe. #ResponsibleRecreation means: separating yourself and honoring the social distance of others, avoiding crowded trailheads and areas, keeping parks and facilities clean, and sticking to state parks in your local area. pic.twitter.com/HNdog4N0PI

— Utah State Parks (@UtahStateParks) March 28, 2020

It’s part of a new “Stay Home, Stay Safe” directive, which encourages Utahns to stay home and not travel but recommends getting outside for a walk, a hike, or even camping.

Before the directive was issued, it seemed a lot of people looking for something to do were rediscovering state parks close to their homes.

“Yeah, it’s good to stretch our legs and get outside and exercise a little bit,” said one hiker on the Lady Finger Trail on Antelope Island.

Since Antelope Island is close to heavily populated cities along the Wasatch Front, it was one of the busiest state parks in Utah last weekend.

“We were extremely busy last weekend,” said Trish Ackley, who works as a naturalist at Antelope Island State Park. “I was hearing an hour-and-a-half-long wait times, three miles long back into the golf course.”

Even Friday afternoon, there were occasional long lines.

Despite all the open spaces, park workers are reminding visitors to social distance.

That includes no gatherings in parking lots, trailheads, or even trails themselves.

“We also ask that if you’re not feeling well, stay home,” Ackley said. “Please stay home. Any kind of flu-like symptoms, sniffles, coughs, fevers, stay home.”

The only restaurant on the island was open, but only for take-out.

The Island Buffalo Grill on @AntelopeSP is open, but takeout only. Workers put social distancing markers outside to keep people safer. pic.twitter.com/oim0yRXEhP

— Alex Cabrero (@KSL_AlexCabrero) March 27, 2020

The dining room is closed.

“We have a window on the side of the building that we’ve opened up to take orders from,” said Connie Williamson, manager of the Island Buffalo Grill.

Restaurant workers also marked spaces six feet apart on the sidewalk with chalk to try and keep people who are in line for food away from each other.

“Just to slow the spread. Just to be good neighbors and keep everybody safe,” Williamson said.

On Antelope Island, it’s also important to remember to be safe around bison and keep your distance from them.

They’re faster than you might think.

However, they’re not as fast as the coronavirus seems to be spreading, which is why you can’t blame people who want to come here to get away from others.

“We have plenty of space to still get some fresh air while staying away from other people,” Ackley said.

Maybe more than ever, though, keep your distance from each other.

As of late Friday afternoon, Utah State Park managers were still determining how to make sure visitors are from the county where the park is located.

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• What is COVID-19? Here’s What You Need To Know To Stay Healthy
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• Your Life Your Health: How can parents prepare their home, children against coronavirus?

How Do I Prevent It?

The CDC has some simple recommendations, most of which are the same for preventing other respiratory illnesses or the flu:

• Avoid close contact with people who may be sick
• Avoid touching your face
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

The CDC does not recommend wearing a face mask respirator to protect yourself from coronavirus unless a healthcare professional recommends it.

How To Get Help

If you’re worried you may have COVID-19, you can contact the Utah Coronavirus Information Line at 1-800-456-7707 to speak to trained healthcare professionals. You can also use telehealth services through your healthcare providers.

Additional Resources

If you see evidence of PRICE GOUGING, the Utah Attorney General’s Office wants you to report it. Common items in question include toilet paper, water, hand sanitizer, certain household cleaners, and even cold medicine and baby formula. Authorities are asking anyone who sees price gouging to report it to the Utah Division of Consumer Protection at 801-530-6601 or 800-721-7233. The division can also be reached by email at consumerprotection@utah.gov.