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Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park closing to public Friday due to COVID-19 concerns

A road closure sign frames the older portion of the Chickamauga Battlefield visitors center in this view, Jan. 4, 2019. The center is closed due to a partial government shutdown that has idled national parks for two weeks. The road closure is unrelated. / Staff file photo by Tim Barber
A road closure sign frames the older portion of the Chickamauga Battlefield visitors center in this view, Jan. 4, 2019. The center is closed due to a partial government shutdown that has idled national parks for two weeks. The road closure is unrelated. / Staff file photo by Tim Barber

By Dave Flessner 2 min read

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park is closing to the public Friday.

The indefinite shutdown of the Civil War memorial park will include all roads, units, trails, parking areas and picnic areas.

Brad Bennett, superintendent of the park, said the closing comes in response to guidance from city, county, and state health departments to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

“Public health is our top priority,” Bennett said in an announcement of the park closing. “We are taking these steps in alignment with directives from local, state, and federal officials to protect the safety of visitors, staff, and park neighbors.”

Park rangers will continue patrolling park areas in order to enforce public health orders, protect the park’s valuable cultural and natural resources, and respond to emergencies.