Safely Visiting the Anacostia this Spring

Erin Garnaas-Holmes is the Ambassador to the Anacostia Watershed Urban Waters Partnership. He writes a monthly article on the Anacostia Park and Community Collaborative blog.

It’s May now (wow, how did that happen already!), and the District of Columbia is still under the Mayor’s stay-at-home order for a few more days. The ReOpen DC effort includes an Open Spaces and Recreation Committee that is considering how best to open and manage parks and recreation centers as the coronavirus pandemic continues. 

Many parks and playgrounds are closed, but the trails along the Anacostia River are still open, and as the weather gets nicer, they have been quite popular. Crowds have even gathered at the Anacostia Skating Pavilion on the weekend. Staying socially distant (6 feet apart) on the trails and in the pavilion can be quite challenging with so many people using the same space. But even though the weather is getting nicer, the virus is still present and dangerous — so here are some tips to stay safe while taking advantage of our waterfront parks. 

Infographic from the National Recreation and Park Association.

First - follow physical distancing guidelines. Staying at least 6’ apart from other people, if not more, is the most effective way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. For reference, many trails in the DC area are about 10’ wide, so if you come across other people, move to the edge of the trail. If you play sports or games, only play with people from your own household. 

Second, consider wearing a mask, especially if you expect to come close to other people. There are all sorts of masks available now that are comfortable, effective, and dare I say fashionable. Some grocery stores will provide you with a free mask if you don’t have one. Although it can be strange and uncomfortable to wear a mask all the time in public, it is one of the most effective ways besides social distancing to protect yourself and others from droplets in the air that may contain the virus. 

Taking these simple steps can help you stay safe while taking advantage of the beautiful natural resources we have available to us. Spending time outdoors can have significant impacts on our physical health, mental health, social health and spiritual wellbeing—all of which is especially important in this trying time.

Infographic from World Urban Parks.

But if you are anxious about hitting the trails due to the crowds, you can always explore the Anacostia from the safety of your living room: 

As the District government and National Park Service plan their strategies to balance the public health benefits of parks with the threats of the virus, there will most certainly be more opportunities and suggestions for how to best take advantage of the parks while remaining safe, and we will share them on the anacostiaparkcommunity.org page.

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