Canada closes cross-border park where families reunited

SURREY, British Columbia — British Columbia has temporarily closed a park where American and Canadian friends and families have been able to reunite despite the closed U.S.-Canada border.

Authorities said Thursday that Peace Arch Provincial Park in Surrey, British Columbia, had become too crowded, raising concerns about traffic and public safety during the coronavirus pandemic.

The park is adjacent to a similar park in Washington state.

Visitors from both sides are allowed to cross the border without showing passports.

With the border closed to nonessential travel, the park has been one of the only options for separated friends and families to see each other.

Some cross-border couples have even had their weddings there.

© 2020 Cox Media Group