Running through my local park for a view of Lake St. Clair on my daily run – good for both mind and body.
For many of us, health and well-being have been top-of-mind lately – from washing our hands more than ever to navigating new work-life circumstances. It’s also important to remember that getting outside for fresh air and exercise is encouraged under Michigan’s Stay Home order. For me, a lunch-hour jog gives me the chance to stretch my legs and clear my head, while also adding some much-appreciated structure to the work-from-home routine. So whether you’re taking the dog for a walk in the park, biking the trail with the kids, or just looking for some stress-relief in the great outdoors, SEMCOG developed this video with safety tips for parks and public spaces:
With spring weather arriving and many people staying at home, the region’s parks and trails have been more crowded than usual lately. We hope you will share these messages with people in your community to help keep everyone safe while enjoying them:
- Maintain the recommended six feet of space from people outside your household for social distancing.
- Avoid shared surfaces like playground equipment and close-contact spaces like athletic courts.
- Expect limited access to public restrooms, water fountains, and other facilities or programs.
- Be aware of all park or trail rules, like keeping pets on a leash and picking up after them.
- Follow Leave No Trace principles when possible, as park maintenance may be more limited than usual.
- If you’re not feeling well, it’s best to stay inside and avoid public spaces.
If your favorite spot feels too crowded to enjoy safely, take this opportunity to explore somewhere new! You can learn more about what Southeast Michigan’s parks and trails have to offer with these SEMCOG resources:
- The Southeast Michigan ParkFinder® app provides information on all of the region’s parks, allowing you to search parks by their location, or for certain park amenities, such as trails or wildlife watching areas. It is available on SEMCOG’s website, and can be downloaded as a mobile app.
- The Southeast Michigan Trail Explorer website provides a virtual tour of the region’s trail system, with more than 1,000 miles of greenways and blueways to explore. It features high-resolution, panoramic, 360-degree images of hiking and biking trails; trailheads, and points of interest along trails; rivers and their banks; and river access points and boat/kayak launches
- A SEMCOG University Webinar: Parks and Recreation Data is scheduled for Friday, April 10. Learn more about SEMCOG’s new Access to Parks Map, and other data resources to support walking, biking, and outdoor recreation. These tools can be used to develop plans for parks and trails, and to support communities seeking funding.
More information on COVID-19-related safety guidelines, local closures, and other recent updates is available here from mParks, the Michigan Parks and Recreation Association.
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