Bergen County will shutter all county parks in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus under an executive order issued late Friday by County Executive Jim Tedesco.

A list of county parks is below.

The order comes 24 hours after Tedesco ordered three of the county's largest parks to close. Tedesco said the escalating number of positive cases and deaths prompted him to take more drastic measures.

The new order takes effect at 8 a.m. Saturday. It will close all county parks including some of the most popular destinations in the region like Van Saun County Park in Paramus and Overpeck County Park in Leonia.

Teaneck Creek Park, which owned by the county but run by a non-profit group, is also closed.

The move is a contrast from Gov. Phil Murphy and his administration, which is encouraging New Jerseyans to visit the state park system, which remains open in limited capacity with entrance fees waived.

But Tedesco's order notes that people continue to come to Bergen County parks in large numbers and congregate in parking lots and popular spots without maintaining the 6 feet of separation recommended to avoid the spread of coronavirus.

Bergen County is the epicenter of New Jersey's coronavirus crisis. As of Friday, Bergen had 1,505 cases — almost double the next county, Essex - and 25 deaths.

The order came a day after the state Department of Environmental Protection reminded park-goers to maintain social distancing at state parks.

DEP Commissioner Catherine McCabe said New Jerseyans need access to parks "more than ever" to take a break from being indoors for extended periods of time.

"We encourage these visits as long as the public is mindful of keeping their distance from others, and we thank our conservation partners for their efforts in promoting how to enjoy nature safely,” McCabe said in a statement.

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This week, the largest nonprofit dedicated to preserving the Appalachian Trail asked all hikers to postpone visiting the famous trail to avoid potentially spreading the virus.

Multiple sections of the trail, which spans 14 states and goes through northwest New Jersey, drew large crowds last weekend.

"It is no longer a viable space to safely practice social distancing," wrote Jordan Bowman, a spokesman for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

Tedesco's order on Thursday closed Ramapo Valley County Reservation, Campgaw Mountain Reservation and Darlington County Park in Mahwah on Friday morning at 8 a.m.

The New Jersey Sierra Club ended all of its hikes and outings last week.

At New Jersey's state parks, campgrounds, visitors centers, nature centers, restrooms and other facilities will be closed because they can be peak transmission points for the virus.

While Bergen County has no state parks, neighboring Passaic County does, with Ringwood State Park and Wawayanda State Park.

Some park-goers reported large crowds at Wawayanda last weekend. With the Bergen County parks closed next door, those two state parks may face an overflow crowd.

So long as New Jerseyans practice social distancing, the state parks will remain open.

“Flattening the curve starts with visiting the park or forest closest to you and respecting the personal space of those who may be around you,” said Olivia Glenn, director of the state Division of Parks and Forestry.

Others may be following Bergen County's lead.

On Sunday, Hoboken announced it would close all its parks.

"Ultimately, this is a sacrifice we need to make as a community now, in order to protect our residents and most vulnerable populations," Mayor Ravi Bhalla said in a letter to residents. "I know this is difficult, especially for those with children in a full household."

9,000 acres of parkland

These are the parks in the Bergen County system.

Ramapo Valley County Reservation

Campgaw Mountain County Reservation

Camp Glen Gray

Camp Tamarack

Saddle Ridge Horseback Riding Area

Darlington County Park

Darlington County Park & Golf Course

James A. McFaul Environmental Center

Wood Dale County Park

Baylor Massacre Burial Site

Wortendyke Barn

Camp Merritt Memorial Monument

Overbrook County Park

Pascack Brook County Park

Rockleigh Bergen County Golf Course

Norwood East Hill

Alpine Reserve North

Alpine Reserve South

Orchard Hills County Golf Course

Garretson Farm

Saddle River County Park + Easton Tower

Van Saun County Park + Washington Spring

Hackensack River Pathway

Borg's Woods Nature Preserve

Historic New Bridge Landing Park

Hackensack River County Park

Belmont Hill 28 Dahnert's Lake

Gethsemane Cemetery

Overpeck Bergen County Golf Course

Overpeck County Park

Samuel Nelkin County Park

Riverside County Park North ‐ J. A. Carrucci Area

Riverside County Park South

Artesian Fields County Park

Teaneck Creek Park

Scott Fallon covers the environment for NorthJersey.com. To get unlimited access to the latest news about how New Jersey’s environment affects your health and well-being, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Staff wirter Nicholas Katzban contributed to his article.

Email: fallon@northjersey.com Twitter: @newsfallon