Opening Parks and Beaches is the First Step to Reopening the Economy

The process was superbly organized, and Trader Joes deserves a lot of credit for developing that process. To get into line, one must wear a face covering. The line itself stretched out under a tent (to protect from sun or rain) like a line in Disneyland, with each ten person back and forth row separated by a bit over 6 feet, and each person in line separated from the persons in front and behind them by markers placed about every 7 feet. No one with a cough or a sneeze was allowed into the store. 

While slow and therefore annoying, the process did provide safety for the shoppers, and fulfilled the national guidelines and safety protocols developed by top scientists like Anthony Fauci and Deborah Birx. Furthermore, it showed that at least some businesses can successfully adapt to the new mask and distance requirements. 

So here’s the obvious question: If these protocols are safe for people going to indoor venues like grocery stores, pharmacies, marijuana distributors, liquor and hardware stores, banks, and other “essential” businesses, why should any business be shuttered if they can also implement these protocols? Even as we ask that question about business, we should even more urgently ask the same about Open Spaces. 

So I’m asking: 

Why should any open space be closed if the safety protocols can be implemented there? I refer specifically to Los Angeles. Mayor Garceitti has issued a stay at home order to millions of Angelenos, confining them and their housemates (if they aren’t isolated alone) to very limited inside space. This policy is almost certain to increase alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence, and child abuse. It will exacerbate any number of psychological stresses including suicide. Access to these wide open spaces is an antidote to these stresses, and is more critical for our health than ever. 

I know this firsthand: I am an avid and frequent hiker in Griffith Park, an activity both I and my doctor (and my wife!) agree has been a huge benefit to my mental, emotional and physical health. 

What makes this closure particularly troubling is not only the loss of health benefits being in the outdoor provides, but the remarkable ease with which social distancing protocols can be practiced to provide safety in open spaces. 

Griffith Park is huge, about 4400 acres crisscrossed with trails, fire roads, even paved roads. Many of those roads are 15 feet wide or more, and almost all the trails (with few exceptions) have frequent “turn-outs” making it easy to practice social distancing. Even before the Park was closed, and with the possible exception of Runyon Canyon, hikers and walkers were sparse, appearing in hiking areas with less frequency than a pinch of sprinkles on a ten-foot ice cream sundae. 

Infection potential is not the only issue. There are issues of physical safety. Near Travel Town, with its picturesque antique train cars and engine, is a road that snakes up the hill into the park. Cars, motorcycles, and bicycles are currently allowed to travel up this road. As you might imagine, there is little room for pedestrian traffic, inhibiting safety. 

To avoid the obvious danger, I jogged about 30 feet to a fire road that runs parallel. On my way down, I was accosted by two Park Rangers on horseback, who ordered me off this dirt road -- where I was completely alone and therefore safe not only from infection potential but from vehicles -- and onto the road shared with motor vehicles. Bonehead. 

I am not the only one who recognizes the health benefits of outdoor space in urban areas, especially in these trying times. Roger Clark, a reporter for Spectrum News 1 in New York made the following observation about Central Park in his March 18 article: “During a time when many New Yorkers are mainly spending their time indoors, this resource has proved to be invaluable.” As of today, April 13, Central Park remains open to pedestrians. 

So New York, with a much worse Corona problem than Los Angeles has kept Central Park open, with the proviso that people follow the social distancing rules: 6 feet and a mask. In San Francisco, with a Corona problem not as severe as Los Angeles, Golden Gate Park remains open to pedestrians, again, provided they follow the social distancing guidelines. These are common sense policies.

If both New York and San Francisco can keep their parks open for public use provided users follow the six-foot-rule, why can’t Los Angeles? And under similar conditions, why not the wide-open beach as well? 

The best answer any City Official seems to have is that they are afraid people won’t follow the guidelines. That is about as intelligent as it would be to ban everyone’s use of a motor vehicle because some people don’t follow traffic laws. Unlike driving in a car, where someone else’s mistake can cause injury or loss of life due to the speed and mass of traffic, in open space, each individual has complete control and can easily enforce their own social distance, even if a jackass or two is uncooperative. And don’t underestimate the value of simply reminding the potential jackass to observe social distancing. Of course, if the jackass wantonly ignores those simple protocols, their open spaces privileges could – and should - be suspended. 

Certainly, there are some open spaces that should, at least for now, be off limits: playgrounds for children, for example, because children cannot be trusted to adhere consistently to these protocols, and because the playground equipment is designed to promote social contact, not social distancing. Adults on the other hand can adhere to these protocols, so keeping these essential open spaces closed is tantamount to treating the entire population like children. Can you say, “collective punishment?” 

Are Angelenos too stupid to observe social distancing? Or is Mayor Garcetti being the jackass he fears the people will be if parks and beaches are open? 

Americans are inventive, creative, adaptable, entrepreneurial and cooperative. We know the meaning of teamwork, and we are persistent. Like Trader Joes, many businesses are looking for ways to re-open while following safety protocols. More power to them, as such creativity and drive will certainly be a factor in getting our economy humming again. 

Opening up the parks and the beaches is a critical first step in this direction. First, it can be done safely. Second, it is a great teaching tool for the population to solidify their use and knowledge of social distancing techniques. Third, it would benefit the health and welfare of tens of thousands of Angelenos. Fourth, we will likely learn a trick or two from the implementation that perhaps can be applied to other open spaces as well as some business situations. Fifth, it would be a great booster of public cooperation and morale. 

Without open parks and beaches, we won’t have open businesses. The beaches and parks should be opened to the public -- subject to social distancing guidelines -- and they should be opened immediately.

(Lawrence D. Goldberg is a small business owner in Burbank, and the writer on UtopiaIsNotAnOption.com.) Prepped for CityWatch by Linda Abrams.