All articles tagged with #park closure
Two teens were attacked by rabid beavers at Cunningham Falls State Park in Frederick County, Maryland; one teen was airlifted to hospital, the beaver was euthanized and tested rabies-positive, prompting a partial closure of Hunting Creek Lake areas while wildlife officials assess safety. Authorities urge caution around wildlife and remind visitors of rabies risks and the importance of medical care if bitten.
A beaver attacked a 10-year-old girl canoeing in Seneca Creek at Seneca Creek State Park in Montgomery County, Maryland, prompting a temporary closure of a one-mile trail and nearby parking while authorities search for the animal; the girl sustained three cuts to her upper leg and was treated at Suburban Hospital, with officials noting no other injuries and no signs of a rabies outbreak in the area.
Maryland DNR is investigating a third beaver attack this summer at Seneca Creek State Park after a 10-year-old girl was bitten; the beaver fled into the water, the girl was treated for leg lacerations, and a nearby stretch near Berryville Road will be closed while authorities search for the animal. Earlier beaver attacks at Cunningham Falls State Park tested positive for rabies, but officials say there is no current rabies outbreak in Frederick or Montgomery counties, and other areas of the park remain open.
Maryland officials are cautiously optimistic but not yet certain Hunting Creek Lake in Cunningham Falls State Park is safe after two beaver attacks tested positive for rabies; the area remains closed while the DNR conducts fact-finding, searches for more affected animals, and seeks benchmarks before any reopening date is set. Beavers are rarely rabies vectors, but authorities suspect spillover from other wildlife and want to confirm only two animals were involved before guaranteeing public safety.
Two beavers tested positive for rabies after biting visitors at Cunningham Falls State Park in Frederick County, Maryland, within two weeks, leading officials to close water-access areas (swimming, fishing, boating) while wildlife authorities surveil and remove potentially infected animals. The beavers were euthanized, and health officials emphasize rabies can be prevented with prompt post-exposure treatment. The park remains partially open as investigators determine the outbreak’s extent.
Two beaver attacks at Cunningham Falls State Park in Frederick County, Maryland—one beaver testing positive for rabies—have led authorities to close swimming, fishing, boating and other water access while wildlife officials test and remove beavers and monitor park safety; a 19-year-old and a 13-year-old swimmer were bitten within two weeks, with one beaver euthanized after rabies confirmation.
Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources has closed additional areas of Cunningham Falls State Park around Hunting Creek Lake after a second beaver attack in two weeks; a 19-year-old fisherman was bitten in the South Beach Day Use area, was treated, and the beaver was euthanized with rabies testing by the Maryland Department of Health pending. The Houck Day Use Area, the adjacent boat ramp, and Big Hunting Creek above the lake are closed, and all water access is prohibited until the area is deemed safe. The earlier July 26 attack prompted swimming closures at Hunting Creek Lake and ongoing wildlife surveillance. The campground remains open, and DNR will continue nighttime and daytime monitoring and beaver removal if needed. Anyone who may have had contact with beavers should contact local health authorities.
Dupont Circle Park in Washington D.C. will be closed from Thursday to Sunday during Pride celebrations due to security concerns, despite local opposition. The closure was requested by U.S. Park Police citing potential vandalism and disorderly conduct, although city officials initially opposed the move. The decision highlights tensions between security measures and the community's historic gathering spot for the LGBTQ+ community amid broader national challenges to Pride events.
The National Park Service will close Dupont Circle Park in Washington D.C. during WorldPride to ensure public safety, citing past disruptive behavior, amid a broader context of sponsorship pullbacks and political challenges affecting Pride celebrations in the U.S.
Mather Regional Park in Sacramento County has been temporarily closed after nearly 30 mute swans were found dead, prompting an investigation by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The swans are being tested for avian influenza, a disease previously confirmed in the area. The park closure is a precautionary measure, and no reopening date has been announced.
Kronenberger Park in Meriden, Connecticut, was closed and activities were canceled after a car rolled off the road into a wooded area near a soccer field, resulting in at least one person being seriously injured. The crash occurred on the I-691 Eastbound off ramp, and the off-ramp was closed for investigation. The cause of the crash is currently unknown.
Rich Mountain Road in the Cades Cove area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park has been closed indefinitely after a visitor had a close encounter with a habituated bear. The park aims to protect both visitors and bears by preventing intentional feeding and conditioning of bears to human food. Bears are approaching vehicles in search of food during this critical time when their primary food sources are scarce. The park urges responsible behavior and provides tips on how to prevent bear incidents and ensure safety in bear habitat.
A coyote attacked a 13-year-old girl and her dog in a park in Maplewood, New Jersey, resulting in the closure of the park for the next five days. The girl suffered puncture wounds to her leg and was taken to the hospital, while her dog is in critical condition but expected to survive. Another woman was also bitten by the coyote. The closure of the park, including picnic and parking areas, was extended as a precautionary measure. Authorities believe the coyote is rabid and are actively searching for it.
Yosemite Valley will be closed from Friday through at least Wednesday of next week due to the potential for flooding along the Merced River caused by the melting of the immense Sierra snowpack. The closure will affect campgrounds, hotels, shops, and visitor centers in the valley, but other parts of Yosemite will remain open. The Merced River is expected to hit flood stage early Friday and potentially lap over roads and trails, but it won't likely approach the major flooding that occurred during the wet winter of 2017. More closures could come in the next two months due to the immense snowpack.