Leisurewood and Sleepy Hollow Campgrounds working on ways to safely open

Town of Newstead and Village of Akron Emergency Services Coordinator Dan Kowalik, Town of Newstead Code Enforcement Officer David Miller, and Newstead Fire Chief John Weidman have been working with the Leisurewood and Sleepy Hollow Campgrounds as they prepare for the 2020 Season in a way that complies with the PAUSE order Social Distancing guidelines.

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz issued a Local Emergency Order on Tuesday closing all campgrounds, as defined by 10 NYCRR 7-3.1, which require a permit to operate under the New York State Sanitary Code. The Order also prohibits the use, at any campground within Erie County, of any camping cabin, camping unit, campsite, or seasonal campsite as defined by 10 YCRR 7-3.1, by any individual at any time.

“Based on reports we’ve received, and as approved by New York State, I have signed this emergency order on campgrounds that will go into effect at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow (April 15). Not only do campgrounds allow for large gatherings of people in contradiction of necessary social distancing measures, but under NYS law campgrounds must also be monitored and reviewed by our Public Health Sanitarians, all of whom are currently engaged in stopping the spread of the coronavirus in our community,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “Our Public Health team is already being stretched in the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Closing these campgrounds makes better use of our resources and will help to protect our community.”

“Both Campgrounds had some very strong contingency plans in place for the residents and campers if and when they were going to open around May 1,” Kowalik said.  “Their plans were to follow all the CDC and Local Health requirements, along with the PAUSE order and Social Distancing rules, when they open, which will not happen while the County Executive’s order is in place.  They are required to follow all ECDOH guidelines for public safety. “The last thing we don’t want to have happen is end up with a cluster of  COVID  patients in an area campground quarantined in a RV,” Kowalik said.