Reader suggestion: Consider one-way pedestrian paths to help social distancing.
We’ve all done the awkward one-way sidewalk dance when we’ve encountered another pedestrian on our afternoon walks or runs.
Even before social distancing was part of our collective vocabulary, before we were trying to stay 6 feet away from other humans, navigating the narrow sidewalks and even wider greenways could be tricky, depending on the crowds. Once you factor in the contagiousness of the coronavirus COVID-19, avoiding other humans while out in public spaces has become a matter of life and death.
We published an opinion piece over the weekend suggesting that as a community, it may be time for us to start thinking about avoiding the crowded parks, the Rail Trail and the greenways. The idea was that if we don’t all flock there, the spaces will become less crowded, and social distancing will be easier.
After we published it, a reader reached out with what may even be a better solution: one-way traffic in Freedom Park. She told us that she emailed the Parks and Rec committee with her recommendation. Other cities have begun doing this on busy stretches of sidewalk. The loop around the pond at Freedom Park would be a great first place for Mecklenburg County to give it a try.
The idea might feel a bit familiar: some Charlotte-area grocery stores are implementing the concept with one-way aisles.
On Tuesday, county manager Dena Diorio addressed closing the park parking lots. She said the county has received lots of feedback regarding the decision. Diorio said park rangers are not trained as law enforcement, and she said she is concerned about placing them into a law enforcement role. Closing the parking lots helps to lessen the crowds without tapping already-stretched resources.
Diorio said she is also concerned about having county employees patrol the parks, as that would be exposing them to the coronavirus. Going forward, the county will continue to consider feedback regarding the closed parking lots. “We’ll monitor it and if we really feel like it will be beneficial to flatten the curve by closing our parks, it’s something we’ll consider, but it’s not something we’ll take lightly.”
It’s important to get outside, get fresh air and get some exercise, Diorio said. “It’s really a balance that we have to strike. Every day is different.”
Before all of this, whoever thought outdoor exercise would become such a hot topic? Yet, here we are.
Reader suggestions
Other readers reached out with feedback and suggestions via Instagram and email. Here are some of them:
Can I add walk with flow of traffic if sidewalks on both sides of street? Would prevent cross traffic and need for one party to cross into street, which is unsafe. — Eve (Editor’s note: Walking facing traffic would follow North Carolina laws and also keep the spirit of Eve’s suggestion, preventing pedestrians from having to walk past each other on narrow sidewalks.)
How about some data? According to the April 5 Google Social Distancing Tool, Mecklenburg park use was down 4% to baseline. According to their 4/11 report, it is down 17%. Parking lots were closed 4/7. The curve is flattening, & park use is down. Still they want more. — Matthew Ridenhour
- I feel even though the greenways are open that all county residents should make an educated decision to avoid them because it seems that most can’t seem to stop violating social distancing directives and continue to put others at risk. No need to wait for the county to enforce. I think the county should put other measures in place to help taper this off by letting everyone get enough supplies and food for 2 weeks and shut everything down to include grocery stores and restaurants. During that 2-week span, no one should be out except first responders ie; police officers, medics, fire departments etc. If someone needs medication from the pharmacy it should be called in and already ready to be received via an express drive-thru. I believe this will help reduce new COVID-19 cases and move the county/state into a better direction. — Veronique Guy
- It is beyond time for the city to shut down certain streets from cars to allow socially-distanced pedestrian access. This has been done in other cities with success. — Andrew B.
- Go take a photo at Lowe’s South Blvd. You’ll love that. Quit picking on the parks!! — Bart Noonan
- Go home! Stay home! Jog in place in your driveway! Stay home ! Stop spreading this virus!! — @cydbcali
- They just need to close them period!! They aren’t going to listen. — Deja McIntyre
- Imagine being mad at people for going outside. Also who’s that handsome man in the tank top in the first picture? — Luke Parsons
- The police need to do their job. Citations should be issued! — Ann Hirschfield Levine
Stop treating Charlotte like it’s New York City. — Gina Marie
I read, with interest, your article about the parks and greenways still remaining crowded despite closings. I am caring, at a distance, for someone who is a presumptive positive for Covid-19. Yesterday I ran up some homemade soup and pasta sauce to this individual. I stopped quickly to purchase a few other necessary items for my drop off. Unfortunately, I had to make two stops, but wore a mask and gloves to protect others in case I’ve been exposed. I was ABSOLUTELY ASTOUNDED by the number of people at my local Walmart & Harris Teeter on Ballantyne, and in my friend’s uptown apartment building who were NOT wearing masks. This included several families that I observed: families of 4 to 6 people with young children. All unprotected! A friend in Huntersville shared the same observation with me in her area. Wearing a mask is such a simple and convenient action to help prevent the spread this virus. I don’t know if it is selfishness or ignorance playing a role in this type of decision making, but it needs to STOP! — Lori DiCenzo Carter
Sorry, complete side note, but did someone really graffiti the exclamation point on the Rail Trail? — Michael Fleming (Editor’s note: Yes.)
One solution is limiting the number of people, or requiring face masks at parks, as a start. It might be impossible due to many entrance points for several of the area parks, but consider closing several lesser used entryways and have park rangers/staff monitor?
Definitely breaking up gatherings of groups and pickup games by park staff is a start. If people were being reprimanded and constantly monitored, it might discourage some of the users, which would cut down on overall occupancy. Perhaps only closing the more popular, heavy utilized parks and greenways is another option. While I hate to take the parks away from some people, I feel like it’s only certain parks where this poses a problem. Is the problem everyday? Or just on weekends? Maybe just closing certain parks on the weekends could divert users elsewhere. I am lucky to live near a lesser known nature preserve in Mecklenburg County. While I have only left my home 3 times to get essentials during the last few weeks, (including once to drop off supplies on a family member’s porch), I feel I have done my part to limit my travels and adhere to social distancing and stay at home orders.
I do, however, utilize the pathways in the nature preserve daily. Not only does my dog need the exercise, it breaks up the routine of my day, since I am still working full time from home. I’ve only passed 10 people total on the most populated day. I often divert my route when possible if it looks like others are headed in the same direction. I live on a single side side street without a subdivision or sidewalks, so this is the only place I can walk where it is safe.
Maybe do a story on alternative areas to get fresh air that are lesser known and less populated? Cemeteries, school tracks, and neighborhoods are a start. Maybe compile some walking tours of different parts of town (that offer neighborhood or accessible parking) to offer residents that are craving a different scenery? I have talked to others who have utilized other parks and trails in the county that have been close to empty. To have a handful of residents ruin it for everyone would be a shame. — Kristin Bobenage
No matter what happens with the parks, greenways and Rail Trail, we know this to be true: as more people take their cardio outdoors, it’s a good time to think about running etiquette. Check out Shawn Flynn’s article that outlines some tips for running during the coronavirus pandemic.
This story was originally published April 17, 2020 at 5:30 AM.
