Locals seeking open space during confinement have fewer options as parks, trails close
As businesses deemed nonessential by public health officials close their doors and residents shelter in place to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, the need for fresh air and wide open spaces seems more pressing than ever.
Yet locals yearning not to feel fenced in are finding their options dwindling as local, county and federal officials this week announced new closures of parks, trails and other recreational areas.
For the record:
6:07 p.m. March 25, 2020This article was originally published at 2:48 p.m. and stated the state parks and beaches were closed.
Descanso Gardens shuttered its 150-acre botanical garden to the public on March 19, the same day Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered 40 million Californians to stay in their homes for at least one month, estimating 56% of the state’s population — or 25 million people — could be affected by the spreading pandemic.
Residents seeking refuge fled to public parks and trails last weekend in record amounts throughout Southern California, causing widespread concern among state and regional health officials.
County, city trails close
Los Angeles County 5th District Supervisor Kathryn Barger declared Monday all trails under the jurisdiction of the county’s Parks and Recreation Department would close immediately until further notice.
“The trails were too crowded, so we are shutting down our trails,” Barger said in a media briefing. “I would encourage people to walk around their neighborhood, respecting the 6-foot social distancing, and enjoy the community around them.”
City officials responded, announcing immediate closure of the city’s 23-mile trail system, most of which are on county land, until further notice. La Cañada Flintridge Trails Council President Tom Reynolds said the idea was to prevent overcrowding on city-owned trail segments, which also saw increased use last weekend.
“Of course, it’s disappointing,” he acknowledged. “But a lot of very smart people are concerned, and the county health department is going to shut down everything, so we ought to get ahead of it.”
La Cañada park uses restricted
Visitors may no longer congregate in groups at La Cañada parks, after city officials this week announced tighter restrictions on public and private gatherings. Use is now restricted to individuals or family members and all are asked to maintain a 6-foot distance in public areas.
“We strongly encourage residents to adhere to the order including social distancing,” staffer Arabo Parseghian said in an email.
La Cañada’s Memorial Park on Tuesday was nearly abandoned, as locals kept their activities largely confined to residential streets — one of the few outdoor options yet to be curtailed.
School fields, courts out of commission
Enticing though they may be, all La Cañada Unified school campuses and facilities, including tracks and fields, were closed to the public on March 13 and will remain so at least through April 19. LCUSD Assistant Supt. Mark Evans asked the community to respect posted signs and fencing throughout the closure.
“If you’ve got a group of people practicing or playing a pick-up game, that’s a problem,” Evans said Tuesday. “A lot of it is on the honor system — we’re just asking for everybody to be respectful.”
Forests and state parks a no-go
The Angeles National Forest is also closed to the public. Gates, trails and facilities have been locked and individuals are not to recreate, even in open spaces that cannot be physically closed, according to the L.A. Gateway Ranger District.
The parking lots at state parks and beaches were closed Monday as part of a new “Flatten the COVID-19 Curve at Parks” campaign.
“For those wishing to take a break in the outdoors, public health officials are advising them to walk, run, hike and bike in their local neighborhoods and walk to parks,” state park officials said in a release Tuesday.
