Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and state and local public health authorities, Cane River Creole National Historical Park (CRCNHP) is increasing recreational access to additional historic buildings at the park. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.
Beginning Friday, July 31, 2020, Cane River Creole National Historical Park will reopen access to the following historic buildings with limited occupancy:
Oakland Plantation Overseer’s House
Oakland Plantation North Slave/Tenant Cabin
Magnolia Plantation Blacksmith Shop
Magnolia Plantation Overseer’s House
Magnolia Plantation Slave/Tenant Cabin
Magnolia Plantation Gin Barn
In addition, the following spaces continue to be available:
Oakland Plantation Grounds
Magnolia Plantation Grounds
Trails
Visitor Parking Lots
With public health in mind, the following facilities remain closed at this time:
Oakland Plantation Store
Oakland Plantation Main House
Magnolia Plantation Store
All public restrooms
At Cane River Creole National Historical Park, their operational approach will be to examine each facility function and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and will be regularly monitored. They will continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and workspaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners and volunteers.
While these areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow health orders outlined in Louisiana’s reopening guidance, https://gov.louisiana.gov/page/can-this-business-open, practice Leave No Trace principles, avoid crowding and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.
The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces prevent the spread of infectious diseases. The NPS will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.
The park has virtual tours of Cane River Creole National Historical Park; for more information, visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/cari and Facebook at www.facebook.com/canerivercreoleNPS.
Details and updates on park operations will continue to be posted on www.nps.gov/cari and social media channels. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.
