Phase 1 of Inslee's plan to reopen Washington starts Tuesday. Here's what it means

On May 5, phase one of Gov. Jay Inslee's four-phase plan to reopen the state will bring the reopening of Washington's state parks and golf courses, but not all of them. Click through the gallery to see the status of state parks in King County. >>> — On May 5, phase one of Gov. Jay Inslee's four-phase plan to reopen the state will bring the reopening of Washington's state parks and golf courses, but not all of them.

**Click through the gallery to see the status of state parks in King County. >>>**
SCOTT EKLUND/SEATTLE POST INTELLIGENCER

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Starting Tuesday, Washingtonians will get a slight reprieve from the confines of their couches, glowing TV screens and makeshift offices, as Phase 1 of the governor's four-phase plan to reopen Washington amid the novel coronavirus pandemic will roll out.

The announcement came Friday at a news conference, a little over a week after Gov. Jay Inslee announced state parks would reopen — for day-use only — on Tuesday. While Inslee was vague about the start dates for each phase other than a minimum of three weeks between them, the governor's website said as of Sunday that Phase 1 would start Tuesday.

But will every state park open? And what exactly does Phase 1 entail?

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The short answer to that first question was no. Out of Washington's 100-plus state parks, 29 will still be closed come Tuesday. A full list of which parks will be opened can be found here, or at the bottom of this page.

As for Phase 1, the governor's office has detailed out what's recommended for high-risk populations, what recreation is allowed, how large of gatherings people can attend, where people can travel, and which businesses can open up.

During Phase 1, high-risk populations are advised to stay home — which is the case for the first three phases. High-risk populations, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are over the age of 65 or are immunocompromised. A full definition can be found here.

Social gatherings will be prohibited under Phase 1, while the restrictions on spiritual gatherings will ratchet back by a bit. Drive-in spiritual services with one household per vehicle will be allowed, according to the governor's website.

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In addition to essential businesses staying open, Phase 1 will allow landscaping services, automobile sales, retail stores (with curbside pick-up only), car washes, pet walking, and existing construction that meet certain criteria to start back up. Travel will still be limited to essential travel only.

Just as the governor announced in late April, recreation across the state will have fewer restrictions. Golf courses will be allowed to open again, with the condition that golfers only play in twosomes with one other person not from their household. Hunting and fishing will be allowed as well.

King County Parks and Recreation announced county parks and trailheads would open Friday, May 8 with some restrictions; restrooms, play areas, sports courts and picnic shelters would remain closed.

Pierce County announced its parks and trailheads would open Tuesday.

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Hiking and mountain biking will be allowed on trails that are open, and boating will be allowed with public launches opened again. Overnight camping will not be allowed.

Some notable parks that won't be open include all parks along the Columbia River Gorge, and ocean beach parks. Washington State Parks said this is to reduce the impact on rural communities.

Read on for a list state parks reopening May 5 for day-use recreation only.

Alta Lake
Battle Ground Lake
Bay View
Belfair
Birch Bay
Blake Island
Blind Island
Bridgeport
Bridle Trails
Brooks Memorial
Cama Beach
Camano Island
Centennial Trail
Clark Island
Columbia Plateau Trail
Conconully
Curlew Lake
Cutts Island
Dash Point (reduced capacity)
Deception Pass
Doe Island
Dosewallips
Eagle Island
Federation Forest
Fields Spring
Flaming Geyser
Fort Casey
Fort Ebey
Fort Flagler
Fort Townsend
Fort Worden
Ginkgo Petrified Forest
Goldendale Observatory
Hope Island - Mason
Hope Island - Skagit
Ike Kinswa
Illahee
Jackson House
James Island
Jarrell Cove
Joemma Beach
Jones Island
Joseph Whidbey
Kanaskat-Palmer
Kinney Point
Kitsap Memorial
Kopachuck
Lake Chelan
Lake Easton
Lake Sammamish (reduced capacity)
Lake Sylvia
Lake Wenatchee
Larrabee
Lewis & Clark
Lewis & Clark Trail
Lime Kiln Point
Lincoln Rock
Lyons Ferry
Manchester
Matia Island
McMicken Island
Millersylvania
Moran
Mount Pilchuck
Mount Spokane
Mystery Bay
Nine Mile Recreation Area
Nolte
Obstruction Pass
Olallie
Olmstead Place
Palouse Falls
Palouse to Cascades
Paradise Point
Patos Island
Peace Arch
Pearrygin Lake
Penrose Point
Peshastin Pinnacles
Posey Island
Potholes
Potlatch
Rainbow Falls
Rasar
Reed Island
Riverside
Rockport
Sacajawea
Saddlebag Island
Saint Edward (reduced capacity)
Saltwater
Scenic Beach
Schafer
Seaquest
Sequim Bay
Shine Tidelands
Skagit Island
South Whidbey
Spencer Spit
Squak Mountain
Squilchuck
Steamboat Rock
Steptoe Battlefield
Steptoe Butte
Stuart Island
Sucia Island
Sun Lakes-Dry Falls
Tolmie
Triton Cove
Turn Island
Twanoh
Twenty-Five Mile Creek
Wanapum Recreation Area
Wenatchee Confluence
Willapa Hills Trail
Yakima Sportsman

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