News Photo by Julie Goldberg Alpena residents Carter, Natalie, and Scott Koproski look at a sign while hiking at Rockport State Recreation Area on Sunday.

ALPENA — The COVID-19 pandemic has closed restaurants, postponed events, and canceled the rest of the school year, but it has not stopped people from enjoying the outdoors.

People can still visit state parks and hike the trails or go fishing or boating, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Early this month, the state closed the Tippy Dam Recreation Area in Manistee County because it was overcrowded and people were not practicing social distancing, but other state parks remain open.

Though all state campgrounds, sanitation stations, and overnight lodging facilities and shelters are closed until at least May 15, people can still travel to state parks while maintaining effective social distancing, staying at least six feet away from anyone not in their immediate family. People cannot travel outside their local area to a state park.

COVID-19 is the disease caused by the coronavirus. As of Sunday afternoon, 22 Northeast Michigan residents have been confirmed infected with the virus: 15 in Alpena County, two in Presque Isle County, four in Montmorency County, and one in Alcona County.

Statewide, more than 31,000 cases and 2,300 deaths have been reported, as of Sunday afternoon.

Alpena resident Scott Koproski said Sunday his family is trying to get out as much as possible so they can “maintain their sanity.” They visited Rockport State Recreation Area near Alpena on Sunday to enjoy the sunny day.

The Koproski family has gone outside during the pandemic. Koproski said their yard has never looked cleaner than it has right now.

“I appreciate the precautions that the governor has took,” Koproski said.

The DNR website says only non-motorized boats can be used during Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home order in effect until April 30.

Park amenities, including concessions, playgrounds, fishing piers, and other amenities, are closed.

State parks are not providing hand-washing stations. The DNR advises people to carry hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes containing at least 60% alcohol.

For more information about the DNR’s policies during the coronavirus pandemic, visit michigan.gov/dnr.

Julie Goldberg can be reached at 989-358-5688 or jgoldberg@thealpenanews.com. Follow her on Twitter @jkgoldberg12.