(LaPorte, IN) - Beechwood Golf Course will close until May 1 to help limit the spread of the coronavirus, according to City of La Porte Park Superintendent Mark Schreiber.

The closure will take effect Saturday, April 4. Schreiber said this decision comes as the weather begins to warm up and the pandemic continues to grow throughout the state.

“While we closed operations at the course last week, we now see the need to close the course to the public,” Schreiber said. “With courses closed in Michigan and Illinois, our area is seeing an influx of golfers from those states. That type of movement runs counterproductive to the Stay-At-Home Order issued by Governor Holcomb in efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.

“It is essential to ramp up our social distancing efforts and we hope the golfing community takes this opportunity to stay home and stop the spread of this virus.”

Schreiber said all other La Porte parks will remain open to provide residents a place to exercise, but all playgrounds, the skate park and fitness court are closed until further notice. Amenities such as trails, basketball courts and ball diamonds are closed to groups and limited to individuals or those from the same household. He said citizens enjoying the parks should continue following the guidelines for social distancing.