Restart Montco - SafeGuarding Our Open Space

Safeguarding Our Parks And Trails During A Pandemic: What Lessons Have We Learned?

During the course of the pandemic, people have flocked to our parks, trails, and open spaces like never before. Our communities have turned to these treasured green spaces for physical and mental well-being as we all cope with these unprecedented times. While it is great to see this increased interest, there have been intrinsic challenges in accommodating the demand while simultaneously urging all trail and park users to socially distance. It is important to assess what accommodations and strategies have worked well to deal with this increased usage and what adjustments might be necessary moving forward. 

Resources

Web Apps

• DCNR Map of Parks in Pennsylvania
  Interactive map provided by Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) with 6,000+ parks identified throughout the state. 
• Low-Stress Streets for Bicyclists and Pedestrian Web App
  Web app recently developed by MCPC to encourage residents to walk and bike on local roads as an alternative to the crowded trails. 

Websites

• Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR)
  This document provides recommendations related to spending time outdoors.
• National Recreation and Park Association
  This joint statement provides guidance on the safe use of parks and open spaces during the pandemic. It has been endorsed by over 1,000 organizations nationwide. 
• National Recreation and Park Association
  This website reviews the essential role of parks and recreation during the pandemic and provides many related resource links.
• The Circuit Trails
  The Circuit Trails website includes a map, events, and many resources for accessing and enjoying our regional trail network.

Articles

• Keep the Parks Open: Public Green Spaces Are Good for the Immune System and the Mind – and They Can Be Rationed to Allow for Social Distancing
  This article argues that keeping parks open for access to the outdoors and an opportunity to exercise is in the best interest of communities during the pandemic.
• Parks Are Essential – Especially During the Coronavirus Pandemic. During the COVID-19 Pandemic, Parks Should Be Celebrated, Protected, and Ultimately Leveraged to Support Public Health.
  This opinion piece stresses that parks should be considered as essential public infrastructure, especially now.
• The Power of Parks in a Pandemic. For City Residents, Equitable Access to Local Green Space Is More Than a Coronavirus-Era Amenity. It’s Critical for Physical, Emotional, and Mental Health.
  This article describes how the pandemic has highlighted the dire lack of accessibility, funding, and space for parks.
• Parks Matter More Than Ever During a Time of Sickness – Something Frederick Law Olmsted Understood in the 19th Century.
  This article emphasizes the health benefits of spending time outdoors, relating the importance of parks back to the early days of our parks in the 1800s.   
• There’s No Need for Blanket COVID Park Closures.
  This article maintains that it does not make sense to indiscriminately close all parks without careful consideration of approaches or modifications that could allow many green spaces to remain available for safe recreation.

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