Leave No Trace in Durham Parks
By: Stacy Stone, Recreation Assistant Supervisor
As we all settle into new routines of spending more time at home, many of us are also looking for ways to get outdoors. While spending time outside can have great physical and mental benefits, our favorite activities now come with new challenges and an increased importance on lowering our impacts on outdoor spaces and one another. To help you enjoy the outdoors in a way that’s safe for you and the environment, here are some tips to get started:
Plan Ahead
Full parking lots and crowded parks and trails are becoming more common sight at many outdoor spaces. By planning to visit less popular parks and avoiding peak use times, like a busy trailhead right after work, you can maintain better social distancing and enjoy some peace and quiet in nature. It’s also a great excuse to check out a new park. While City parks are still open, many state and regional park sites are closing to protect visitors and staff. Check online or call ahead if you’re unsure if a park is still open, and if it is closed move on to another option.
Take out the Trash
The increased number of park visitors combined with efforts to keep the whole community safe can make picking up the trash a much harder job than usual. Due to Durham's Stay-at-Home Orders, Park Maintenance Staff are not able to do regular trash collections. Rather than using trash cans at parks or trailheads, take your trash (including dog poop) home to throw away (Solid Waste is still doing curbside pickup - yay!). Doing this prevents wildlife from eating things that are harmful to them and keeps trash out of the environment. To learn more about how long it takes trash to decompose check out our blog post.
Watch out for Wildlife
As temperatures warm and food sources become more abundant, many animals are out in search of food, building nests, or looking for mates. With so many people out and about the outdoors have become a more crowded place for wildlife. This is a wonderful time for us to observe and learn about the animals around us, but it is also important we’re giving them the space they need. A good rule of thumb is that if an animal is changing its behavior because of you, you’re too close.
Watch out for Each Other
As we all adjust to many new changes and challenges it’s especially important to remember we are not only trying to keep ourselves safe and healthy but each other as well. Be respectful of other visitors and give plenty of physical distance, and please remember if you’re feeling sick, stay home. Make sure to keep at least six feet away from others and maintain proper social distancing.
To learn more about minimizing your outdoor impact, check out the 7 Leave No Trace Principles.
As we all settle into new routines of spending more time at home, many of us are also looking for ways to get outdoors. While spending time outside can have great physical and mental benefits, our favorite activities now come with new challenges and an increased importance on lowering our impacts on outdoor spaces and one another. To help you enjoy the outdoors in a way that’s safe for you and the environment, here are some tips to get started:
Plan Ahead
Full parking lots and crowded parks and trails are becoming more common sight at many outdoor spaces. By planning to visit less popular parks and avoiding peak use times, like a busy trailhead right after work, you can maintain better social distancing and enjoy some peace and quiet in nature. It’s also a great excuse to check out a new park. While City parks are still open, many state and regional park sites are closing to protect visitors and staff. Check online or call ahead if you’re unsure if a park is still open, and if it is closed move on to another option.
Watch out for Wildlife
As temperatures warm and food sources become more abundant, many animals are out in search of food, building nests, or looking for mates. With so many people out and about the outdoors have become a more crowded place for wildlife. This is a wonderful time for us to observe and learn about the animals around us, but it is also important we’re giving them the space they need. A good rule of thumb is that if an animal is changing its behavior because of you, you’re too close.
Watch out for Each Other
To learn more about minimizing your outdoor impact, check out the 7 Leave No Trace Principles.
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