YOUR PARKS, YOUR HEALTH

Spring is in the air in the Regional Parks, which also means more visitors! A little worrisome as many parks have seen visitation increased by 30 percent, and some at 100 percent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additionally, state and local health orders were recently updated to allow for camping, backpacking, and outdoor visitor facilities to reopen, including Ardenwood Historic Farm, Tilden's Little Farm, and the Regional Parks Botanic Garden. These facilities reopened in mid-February with reservations required and capacity limited.

With better weather and more facilities reopening comes the need for all of us to continue doing our part. Remember to follow all park safety rules and social distancing guidelines, including:

• Wearing masks within 6 feet of others.
• Keeping a 6-foot distance from other park users.
• Only outdoor social gatherings involving 25 or fewer people from three or fewer different households are permitted.

Being aware of high-touch points such as trail access gates, benches, etc.

Use gloves or hand sanitizer. Keeping parks open and safe during the pandemic has not been easy, especially with overwhelming visitation and ever-changing state and local health orders. However, when the public needed parks most, the Park District is proud to have answered the call to provide the public with places for rest, relaxation, and respite.

During the pandemic, the Regional Parks have provided an essential service. A 2020 scientific survey of Park District’s residents found that 96 percent feel the Park District plays an important role in maintaining the physical and mental health of the community.

For up-to-date information on Regional parks and what activities are permitted by local health orders, visit ebparks.org.

Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor
510-544-2217
dmason@ebparks.org