Staying physically active is one of the best ways to keep your mind and body healthy. In many areas, people can visit parks, trails, and open spaces as a way to relieve stress, get some fresh air and vitamin D, stay active, and safely connect with others.
This advice comes from the Centers for Disease Control. However, while parks and recreational facilities can offer health benefits, it is important that people follow precautionary steps to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.
Things to do
• Visit parks that are close to your home.
Most travel requires you to stop along the way or be in close contact with others. Travel may also expose you to surfaces contaminated with the virus that causes COVID-19.
• Prepare before you visit.
State and local authorities will decide whether parks and other recreational facilities will open. Check with the park in advance to be sure you know which areas or services are open, such as bathroom facilities and concessions, and bring what you need with you.
The same applies to national parks. At Fort Larned National Historic Site, the buildings, including the Visitors Center, are closed. However, the park grounds and the History and Nature Trail remain accessible to the public. Download a trail brochure/map online at https://www.nps.gov/fols/planyourvisit/upload/History-and-Nature-Trail.pdf. The restrooms at the picnic area by the highway and at the fort parking are open. The gates to the site are open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
State and local authorities will also decide whether natural bodies of water and beaches or swim areas will be open. Please check with individual beaches or swim areas for specific details.
• Stay at least 6 feet away from others (“social distancing”) and take other steps to prevent COVID-19.
This might make some open areas, trails, and paths better to use. Do not go into a crowded area.
Avoid gathering with others outside of your household.
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. Bring hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol to use if soap and water are not available.
Things not to do
• DON’T visit parks if you are sick or were recently exposed to COVID-19
• DON’T visit crowded parks.
• DON’T use playgrounds, including water playgrounds, located within local, state, or national parks.
Using playgrounds might lead to the spread of COVID-19 because:
- They are often crowded and could easily exceed recommended guidance for gatherings.
- It can be challenging to keep surfaces clean and disinfected.
-The virus can spread when young children touch contaminated equipment and then touch their hands to their eyes, nose, or mouth.
• DON’T use hot tubs, spas, water playgrounds, or water parks.
While proper operation, maintenance, and disinfection (with chlorine or bromine) should kill COVID-19 in hot tubs, spas, water playgrounds, and water parks, you should not use these facilities within local, state, or national parks at this time because:
- They are often crowded and could easily exceed recommended guidance for gatherings.
- It can be challenging to keep surfaces clean and disinfected.
The virus can spread when people touch surfaces and then touch their unwashed hands to their eyes, nose, or mouth.
• DON’T participate in organized activities or sports.
In general, most organized activities and sports such as basketball, baseball, soccer, and football that are held on park fields, open areas, and courts are not recommended. These activities and sports typically require coaches and athletes who are not from the same household or living unit to be in close proximity, which increases their potential for exposure to COVID-19.
Protect yourself and others
The best way to prevent COVID-19 is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Take the following steps to minimize your risk:
• Stay home as much as possible.
• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water is not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Distance yourself from others when in public, especially if you are a senior or have a medical condition that puts you in a high-risk category.
Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth mask when in public.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with an elbow or tissue. Throw the used tissue away and immediately wash your hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily – including phones, keyboards, doorknobs, handles and light switches.
For more details and to view this information in other languages online, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html.
