In an effort to enhance safety, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office and Parks and Beautification Department will begin stronger enforcement of closure hours at Amerson River Park. This includes citing those who don’t leave by the 8 p.m. closing time, locking the yellow gates on the road in front of the railroad crossing, and enhanced patrols in the park.

“We’ve gotten a little lax with the gate closures, even allowing people to come in early and park right outside and walk in, but we need to start enforcing the hours of operation in the park,” says Parks and Beautification Director Michael Glisson. “We don’t want any problems, and really what it boils down to, is protecting the park while also protecting people who use it.”

“The park is beautiful and accessible to everyone, but it needs to remain safe above all,” says Sheriff David Davis. “Allowing people in the park before it opens and after it closes creates the potential for dangerous situations so we’ve got to do everything we can to keep people safe.”

The yellow gates on North Pierce Avenue (pictured below) will be closed daily from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. People are also not allowed to park on those surrounding residential streets to access the park. Amerson River Park will still be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Everyone is urged to plan ahead to make sure they can exit the park on time each day to avoid being locked in or cited.