Inside the City of Wellington Park Closure: Site Restrictions and Official Advisories
Why did the City of Wellington close Woods Park and Donut Bay?
The city closed both sites on February 2, 2026, due to a suspected avian influenza outbreak after municipal workers found multiple dead wild waterfowl along the shore.
Can humans contract bird flu from visiting a park?
Transmission of avian influenza from wild birds to humans is rare. However, public health agencies enforce shutdowns because direct contact with infected birds, saliva, or bird droppings presents an unnecessary biological risk.
Is it safe to walk dogs near the perimeter of Woods Park?
City officials advise against walking pets near the restricted perimeter. Dogs that step in contaminated droppings or investigate dead animals can track the virus home or, in rare instances, fall ill from cross-species exposure.
What should Sumner County residents do if they find dead wild birds on private property?
Do not touch or move the carcasses with bare hands. Report clusters of dead wild waterfowl to the Wellington KS parks department, Sumner County animal control, or the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks for safe collection and testing.
When will Woods Park reopen to the public?
Reopening depends on laboratory test results from the state diagnostic laboratory and subsequent carcass clearance. The City of Wellington will issue an official notice once wildlife biologists verify that the immediate biological threat has subsided.
