The lengthy pandemic closure has ended for a British Columbia (Canada) park that straddles the Washington state border.
According to a report, Peace Arch Provincial Park, a nine-hectare park that spans the B.C.-Washington state border, reopened on Monday, October 24. It is one of B.C.’s last remaining COVID-19 closures.
A statement released by B.C. Parks says they have been working with the local First Nation, Canada Border Services Agency, RCMP, and other agencies to ensure the park’s reopening occurs safely and respectfully.
The Environment Ministry responsible for B.C. Parks was adamant that the reopening of the Canadian portion of Peace Arch Park was a priority. However, its open nature made it difficult to ensure that visitors adhered to border regulations.
The park stands out in North America as the only one where people from Canada and the United States can meet without crossing a border.
U.S. officials kept the Washington side of the park open during the pandemic. The park became an extremely popular place to gather for families and those separated by the closure of the border, causing concern in B.C. regarding large crowds of non-vaccinated individuals.
This story originally appeared on Canada.com.