Question of the day
Friday, Mar 20, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Press release from four days ago…
To further prevent the spread of COVID-19, and in accordance with the Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation issued on March 9, 2020, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) today announced the closure of all state parks, fish and wildlife areas, recreational areas, and historic sites as well as the cancellation of upcoming scheduled events.
Subscribers know where I stand on this and I’ll leave it at that.
* From the National Recreation and Park Association…
Concerns about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak continue to grip our nation. As organizations that support the power of parks and open spaces as essential resources for health and wellness, we understand that people may have questions and concerns about visiting their local parks, trails or open spaces at this time.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has flagged mental health as a top concern associated with the COVID-19 outbreak. We recognize that social distancing may take a toll on our mental health, especially during high-stress and anxiety-producing global public health emergencies. We also know that parks provide a connection to the outdoors and green space as well as opportunities for physical activity which studies demonstrate reduces stress and improves mental health.
We believe that many parks, trails and open spaces can continue to be used in a safe manner that allows people to enjoy the mental and physical health benefits these spaces provide. In all instances, we recommend people follow local, state and national ordinances and guidelines regarding the use of these spaces and recognize that these vary from community to community.
In places where there are no restrictions on the use of local parks, trails and open spaces, we encourage all users to follow these recommendations:
* Refrain from using parks or trails if they are exhibiting symptoms.
* Follow CDC’s guidance on personal hygiene prior to and during use of parks or trails.
* Prepare for limited access to public restrooms or water fountains.
* While on trails, warn other users of their presence and as they pass, and step aside to let others pass.
* Follow CDC guidance on the recommended size of social gatherings including outdoor picnicking, pick-up sports and other group hangouts, and maintain proper physical distance at all times.
* Observe CDC’s minimum recommended social distancing of 6 feet from other individuals at all times. If this is not possible, users should find an alternate location or depart that space.
* Consult their local and state ordinances and guidelines for the most up to date recommendations on park and trail use.
We encourage local jurisdictions to keep parks, trails and open spaces accessible as long as it is safe to do so.
Our local parks, trails and open spaces have always served as places where people can find respite and seek peace and restoration. During this time of uncertainty, these places are needed now more than ever. Our nation’s park and recreation professionals are working hard to maintain these spaces and keep them safe, accessible and benefiting our communities during these challenging times. Let us all do our part to use them in a way that respects each other and public health guidance.
* The Question: Should the governor re-open state parks, trails, fish and wildlife and recreation areas? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please…
surveys
- Still anon - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 11:12 am:
Yes. As long as personnel and visitors follow social distancing, people can/should use the open space. Just the other day, a different governor was urging parents to consider taking their kids to state parks.
- Downstate Illinois - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 11:15 am:
Nothing says social distancing like a walk in the woods. The fact that you can take a hike in the Shawnee National Forest but not an adjacent state park is ridiculous. Keep the visitor centers closed if you want but open the trails.
- Rigby - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 11:16 am:
Several Cook County Forest Preserves have closed until May 11th. The list of closings is extensive.
A popular workout spot, the Swallow Cliff Stairs in Palos Park have closed and the Dan Ryan Woods stairs have closed.
I am waiting to see if the inland trout fishing scheduled for April gets shut down.
- Docs - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 11:17 am:
I don’t understand, if this is what medical leaders are recommending, why are we questioning this? How is this different from closing bars/restaurants, other than the fact that you may feel differently from the expert advice in this case and not the former case?
- Independent - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 11:17 am:
People have to have some outlet. If not at state parks then they may rebel against other rules put in place, creating greater danger. Parks would have to be very careful especially with hotspots like Starved Rock. No crowded parking lots, of course. This could be managed.
- JS Mill - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 11:17 am:
We need to keep the parks open. One of the ways to address the outbreak is for people to get out to a p[ark and get some fresh air so long as social distancing is followed.
- Bruce (no not him) - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 11:17 am:
Absolutely they need to be opened. As long as they aren’t being used to host large gatherings. IE: Spring break parties.
- thoughts matter - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 11:21 am:
Yes. Practice social distancing. If I can feel safe at the grocery store, if I can feel safe taking a walk around my own block, then I should be safe taking a walk at a park.
- reelpro - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 11:22 am:
I want to go fishing at Starved Rock on the Illinois River. When fishing in my boat there is no close contact with other anglers. We are jealous of our favorite fishing holes.
- Benjamin - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 11:24 am:
I think they should stay open, with sensible exceptions for visitor centers, restaurants, campgrounds, etc., and with the understanding that staffing levels may be affected by pandemic-related measures.
We’ll have some harder decisions ahead of us in the summer (assuming this lasts more than a month or two) as we start to limit the number of visitors at popular locations like Starved Rock and Illinois Beach. But we’ve got some time to think about that.
- Anyone Remember - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 11:24 am:
Yes but … no camping, protection gear for staff working in these areas.
- Hiker - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 11:24 am:
I often hike year round mainly at Sangchris lake and similar places.
Aside from planned gatherings where a facility is reserved and used I have never seen a group of people that looked larger than an immediate family. Iv been frequenting these places for 30+ years and seriously have never seen it. Granted the places that I go are fairly isolated but the are maintained hiking trails.
- No Longer A Lurker - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 11:28 am:
Yep. There is no better place to help relieve some stress than being outdoors. I’m sure there are many that believe these are certainly stressful times. Open the parks.
- Proud Sucker - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 11:29 am:
Absolutely. I actually already mentioned this to Wheeler’s office - Obie is busy so I didn’t bother them. Keep the buildings and lodges closed, but reopen the trails. Have the Conservation Police patrol the shelters and gently break-up any large gatherings. But let us hike.
- Lefty Lefty - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 11:30 am:
Keep the parks open. Going outside is about all we have left. Close the buildings, keep the trash from piling up. Attendance will be way down anyway. And all the distancing guidance applies — 6 feet, 10 minutes, etc. Who meets strangers in parks and gets close to them for 10 minutes?
Just thought of this — park goers can all pretend they have dogs with them. We all (well, most of us) stay a good distance apart with our dogs. If you meet someone on a trail, step aside and make room. The Pretend Dog Rule.
- ChrisB - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 11:31 am:
Yes. You can’t, on one hand, tell people get outside, go for a walk, get active, and on the other, tell everyone not to go to the state parks.
- Candy Dogood - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 11:32 am:
No. I understand that folks might be imagining people wandering alone in the forest but I think some people might be under estimating the extent to which camping occurs and what that looks like and that there may be more visitors to the parks.
This also places the employees of the parks and risk and encourages other not helpful things, like trips to gas stations for food, beer, bait, et al,that otherwise would be unnecessary.
Give it a few weeks. At that point social distancing might not matter, but even issuing the order to reopen something sends the wrong message.
- 47th Ward - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 11:33 am:
I think yes, a walk in nature is going to be the new Netflix once the internet starts to wobble. My concern would be more related to potential for vandalism if these places aren’t properly staffed.
Hopefully everybody will be cool.
- {Sigh} - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 11:36 am:
If we are preparing for a shelter in place, then why reopen them? Maybe use the parks for IEMA trailers for for first responders?
And by opening the state parks, doesn’t that encourage people to leave home? I’ve been enjoying the fresh air outside of my home.
- Birds on the Bat - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 11:36 am:
Yes, open parks. I have noticed an uptick this week in folks walking the neighborhood. Parks give folks a place to disappear to for a bit.
- efudd - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 11:38 am:
Yes. I applaud the Governor and his actions. The man is a leader and is throwing the kitchen sink at this crisis.
The selfish in me is missing hiking Trail of Tears in Jonesboro. If you want self-reflection, man, that park is it.
- Last Bull Moose - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 11:39 am:
Voted no. State staff may be pressed into service elsewhere. We cannot police and maintain them.
- Lefty Lefty - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 11:40 am:
This just hit my inbox regarding the National Parks:
“At a majority of park locations where it is currently possible to adhere to public health guidance, outdoor spaces remain open to the public, while many facilities will be closed.”
NPS is also waiving fees. I’d be glad to keep paying the fee at State Parks.
- NIU Grad - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 11:42 am:
“My concern would be more related to potential for vandalism if these places aren’t properly staffed.”
Yup, and other factors. Many of these parks have facilities that need a level of staffing, as well as staff requiring to provide basic maintenance (all involving coming in contact with objects the public can touch). For example, someone has to open/close restroom facilities and clean them…if not, people are simply going to start using the trail as a restroom. They have to empty trash containers, otherwise, that garbage will find its way around the park.
It would be unfair to tell IDNR employees that they have to put themselves at risk (albeit a small one, I understand), while the rest of the state workforce is being asked to avoid public interaction.
- Springfieldish - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 11:42 am:
Voted no. There will always need to be staff patrols, etc. Give it a week or two. Walk around the block for now.
- FIREDup!! - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 11:54 am:
NO!!! DNR sites are severely understaffed and some staff has to cover up to 4 parks. Several parks will soon be testing sites and lodges are being considered for quarantine sites. Agreed, walk around the block and use common sense.
- Captain Who - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 11:55 am:
Keep the parks open. People will need to get outside to avoid cabin fever. Keep the visitors centers and concessions closed.
- Amalia - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 11:56 am:
No. you have to encourage people to stay close to home.
- Flapdoodle - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 11:57 am:
Yes, with limitations.
Trails and green spaces where people can maintain appropriate distances, yes. People tend to do this anyway and these spaces are far more relaxing and stress reducing than a walk around the block. Minimal exposure of employees, especially if restrooms and other facilities are kept closed (as they should be)
Camping, or what passes for it these days, no. Social distancing is more likely to be violated, there’s a chance of groups forming larger than ten, and staff would be more exposed.
As this crisis drags on — and it will, longer than most expect — outlets for stress relief, exercise, and changes of scenery will become increasingly important. This is part of what the parks are for, now more than ever.
- LINK - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 12:00 pm:
After reading all the responses AFTER I voted to keep them open - actually reopen them at this point - I hadn’t given thought to other than CPO’s being on duty still (I think) - I failed to recognize the other duties our overworked, understaffed DNR staff are subject to like trash collection. However, as a hunter and fisherman with many friends the same, its driving us crazy not being able to go fishing, walking, etc.
There are never a simple answer are there?
- DownSouth - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 12:04 pm:
I voted no - probably should include a disclaimer that I work in the outdoor press/media.
Although I think our DNR could have handled things better and less abruptly on Sunday, and also included a bit of an explanation in the press release (which would have enabled those of us in the media to help explain the situation), I do understand the dilemma faced by IDNR.
Only closing parts, only closing high traffic parks, etc. does not fully address the overall issue. With DNR head count still below goal, and non essential staff staff instructed to not report for work, there simply is not enough staff to insure that common areas (bathrooms, playgrounds, shower houses, drinking fountains, etc. can be effectively cleaned. In parking areas, at boat ramps, trailheads, popular spots it would be very difficult to adhere to the no groups over 10 guideline and encourage or insure social distancing. Visitor numbers would have likely sharply increased compounding the problem.
To only close certain parks or areas would have made for even more confusion and unhappiness as folks questioned why “their park” was closed but not another. Not to mention an enforcement nightmare.
What has been a big failure is the IDNR has not effectively communicated any of this to constituents, media, and in many cases even staff.
This would have been and would be much more palatable to outdoor DNR lands users if they would regularly update the situation. Answer questions that constituents have regard areas that are part federal part IDNR, how will this affect upcoming hunting season and those who have paid for and been issued site specific permits.
Seems like none of us can get any answers from anyone to even the most basic of questions.
This just is much more complicated than what the average park/public land user seems to realize.
Is it unfortunate? Absolutely. But there’s a whole lot of things that are unfortunate right now.
- elginkevin - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 12:06 pm:
I’d say any “green space” should be open, but all buildings / shelters /restrooms should be closed as is feasible.
- Pot calling kettle - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 12:06 pm:
I voted yes, but with limitations.
Visitors centers remain closed. The question of maintenance and public safety are very good points, but I think the benefits outweigh the costs.
- MG85 - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 12:36 pm:
No. Stay home if you can. We need few, if any, communal areas. You open state parks and people will flock there. How does that foster social distancing.
We do realize that it’s not the actual restaurant, gym, or epicenter that is the problem but the gathering of people, right? Parks are no different.
So stay home. Just stay home. If you’re confused about what you should do…you should stay home.
- up2now - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 12:38 pm:
Yes. People are dispersed in outdoor settings, so less risk of contagion; and if folks can’t go anyplace else, they need to be able to go to the parks.
- Dancing Bears - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 12:54 pm:
I’m not sure I have ever been on a DNR trail anywhere in the State and thought, “This trail is very busy today”. From a mental health stand point, I think it is important for folks to be able to escape their dwellings for a few hours to stretch out and re-center themselves.
I am totally cool with shutting down campsites or any access areas where there is an increased chance of more than a few people being there at the same time, or if there is equipment that was likely to have been touched by multiple people.
- FormerGOPer - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 1:01 pm:
I voted no. Parks can’t be open without staff and I don’t want them to literally risk their lives. There are other ways to be outdoors without state parks which are away from major population centers anyway.
- the Patriot - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 1:06 pm:
Need to be site specific. Most Deep southern IL locations have zero risk of face to face contact and are good opportunities for folks who can’t do anything else.
Closure of government property/lakes that are used for hunting and fishing doesn’t do anything. If you are on a lake or in the woods 1/2 mile from any other human there is no risk. However the long term ecological fallout of suspending normal harvest activities has to be considered as well.
- DBs - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 1:17 pm:
Voted to open, at least in part. My views align with Dancing Bears (12:54). While many state parks feature areas to gather, perhaps there’s an opportunity to treat trails differently than visitor centers, restrooms, etc.. The physical and mental health benefits of time outdoors are well documented, aren’t well replicated by “a walk around the block” and, I suspect, are a sorely needed antidote to the anxieties that many people are currently feeling. Trails provide ample opportunity for appropriate distancing.
I will say that DownSouth has raised some compelling concerns, though.
- Flapdoodle - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 1:45 pm:
DownSouth added a disclaimer to her/his comment, so I’ll do so as well (retroactively) — 35 years in the parks and rec field tells me there are ways to keep the parks open while addressing the concerns being raised here
- arock - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 1:57 pm:
Far better to have people walking on trails and in the woods than walking in the road because of the lack of sidewalks or decent sidewalks.
- yinn - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 1:59 pm:
I voted no due to issues related to under-staffing and sanitation. There may be some room for site-specific decisions at some point but I don’t think that’s a priority while preparing for the order to shelter in place.
- FormerParatrooper - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 1:59 pm:
Voted Yes. There is nothing more zen than sitting in the woods listening to nature and observing. We could all use a quiet space for reflection and decompression. There would be less people in the outdoors than what I am seeing at the Phoenix airport flying home today.
- Don't Bloc Me In - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 2:23 pm:
I voted yes. My view aligns best with Flapdoodle. Some parks perhaps should remain closed. Others, with plenty of space and parking, should open. No camping, no buildings open. Staff can still patrol the parks.
On the other hand, we’re not always agree with the sacrifices we will be required to make.
Frankly, I’m surprised that the director of IDNR, a communications professional, did not issue a news release with an explanation. Surprised and disappointed.
- Skirmisher - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 2:24 pm:
I reluctantly voted no, and that is after being unceremoniously being evicted from a
State park last Sunday. I spend a lot of time in our parks and historic sites and frankly IDNR seems unable to maintain clean public restrooms in the best of times. That will only get worse. It is all very well to talk of walks in park trails but a lot of our parks and sites are in remote areas and the reality is that if the public is to be admitted, the state must provide public restroom facilities at minimum. It simply would not work.
- SAP - Friday, Mar 20, 20 @ 2:42 pm:
Yes. People need something to do and its better if they do something without breathing each other’s air.