filed under: health and social benefits
Trails As Health and Safety Inspiration in the Age of Coronavirus
America’s incomparable system of national scenic, historic, and recreational trails is the perfect way to sustain your mental and physical health, while maintaining the social distancing that is required in these challenging times.
by Mike Passo, Executive Director, American Trails
With the onset of COVID-19, and the challenging isolation required of us all, American Trails would like to suggest that trails, parks, and outdoor recreation are the ideal way to kick your cabin fever, without exposing yourself to the coronavirus.
Care must be practiced throughout the experience (read up on our synopsis of the guidance provided by many of our public land management partners HERE), but when done thoughtfully and carefully, trails are inherently perfect as social distancing tools. You really can’t help but maintain appropriate social distancing while using a trail.
American Trails and our partners in the trail and outdoor recreation communities invite all of those who are no longer able to visit tourism or hospitality venues during the pandemic lock-down to safely enjoy the healthy option of an independently enjoyed hike, bike, run, or ride on America's system of scenic open space trails!
As schools close and cities cancel public events and recommend people avoid busy places, public health experts say trails and parks are a safer option when looking for recreation. When you head out to a trail, please remember the following:
These are challenging times, but one thing is clear, our fellow American’s will need relief and respite now more than ever. Trails, outdoor recreation, and our amazing open spaces can well serve that need. We are all in this together, and American Trails offers up this inspiration that trails have always and will continue to save people.
Spokane River Centennial Trail; Eastern Washington-Spokane Waw
Kayak at sunset along Apalachicola Blueway
View along the trail - Holland Falls Trail, MT
Accessible trail near Mount St Hellens, WA
Diverse motorized trail use on Stony Lonesome National Recreation Trail in Alabama
Hikers on Mount Pierce along Crawfords Path
Iron Ore Heritage Trail - Marquette County, Upper Peninsula of Michigan; J. Birdie
Sheltowee Trace - Big Turtle 50 Miler Trail Runner preparing to pass over creek on swinging bridge in Morehead, Kentucky; Photo by Michael Whisman
Big Jim and his buddy maintaining trails in California
Crossing Silver Bridge on the Bright Angel Trail in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona; Photo by Michael Brunson
Summer Reflections on the Wilson’s Creek Greenways Trail in Springfield, Missouri; Photo by Allin Sorenson
Central Arizona Project (CAP) Trail - Family enjoying the new segment of the CAP NRT in Pinal County, Arizona, near Redrock Arizona; Photo by Charles Hofer
i; Photo by Ida Koric
Morning Solitude on the Wilson’s Creek Greenways Trail in Springfield, Missouri; Photo by Allin Sorenson
Paseo del Bosque Trail - an RTP funded trail in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Photo by Justin Lyon
American Conservation Experience crew members working on the North Kaibab Trail in Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona; Photo by Jessica Plance
The Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail - Hiking with friends, dogs and trash collecting near Rosalia, Washington; Photo by Kristy Canright
Lupine mushing to fix a door knob; Resurrection Pass Trail, Alaska; Photo by Irene Lindquist
Progressive Bike Ramps built bike park in South Lake Tahoe, CA
Perito Moreno Patagonia; Photo by Great Lakes Trailbuilders LLC
Published March 2020
Mike Passo is the Executive Director of American Trails. Mike has also served as the Executive Director of the Professional Trailbuilders Association and the owner and operator of a sea kayak outfitter called Elakah Expeditions. Mike has led groups of all backgrounds, ages and abilities on sea kayak expeditions in the San Juan Islands of Washington, Vancouver Island in British Columbia, and in Glacier Bay, Alaska. Mike has conducted an extensive study of outdoor developed areas nationwide to determine the cost implications of construction according to proposed Americans with Disabilities Act standards, and a Congressional study on improving access to outdoor recreational activities on federal land. He has a B.S. in Recreation Resource Management from the University of Wisconsin—Madison, including three years’ coursework in Landscape Architecture and Civil Engineering. He has presented on Universal Design and Programming at several national conferences and served on the Board of Directors of American Trails since 2000. His love of the outdoors and his own paraplegia has given him a great interest in the creation of an accessible outdoor environment that does not ruin the characteristics and value of that environment.
Contact: [email protected]
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