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Day closed all county parks on Tuesday, April 7, in an effort to stem the rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in the county.
After the order, Day says many residents moved to state parks that remained open including Harriman, High Tor, and Rockland Lakes state parks.
"This past weekend, I received several complaints from residents, advising that many of the state parks here in Rockland County were overrun with people, parking lots were so full that cars were parking along the roadways and large groups of people were gathering," Day wrote in a letter to Cuomo. "As a result, social distancing was not being practiced. This puts us all at risk."
Under the Rockland order, all park facilities including boat ramps, hiking trails, and playgrounds were closed and barricades put in place after residents continued to visit the areas.
In the request to sent to Cuomo on Monday, April 13, Day added that in addition to closing the state parks in Rockland County, he asked for the state Park Police to step up patrols to ensure compliance.
"Given the circumstances, it would make sense to close state parks throughout the state as well, or – at minimum – throughout the downstate region," Day wrote.
Cuomo has denied other requests from the county during the coronavirus crisis, including implementing a containment zone in the Ramapo area.
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