Where to go, what to do during summer of pandemic
Among the challenges brought by COVID-19 is how to enjoy summer during a pandemic.
Traditionally a time of more temperate weather and schools out of session, Delaware County residents joined those across the United States in taking trips locally, regionally, nationally and abroad. It also used to include more time outside and socializing something that has become quite tricky in these times of coronavirus.
As the progression of the virus has gone up and down, the societal guidelines have also shifted accordingly, making it difficult at best for tourism officials to create a promotion.
“Every time we come up with an idea, we want to do something, things are changing rapidly, the next day, you can’t promote it because there’s limitations,” said Stephen Byrne, executive director of Visit Delco PA, the county’s tourism center. “Ideas have been floating out there. It’s coming down to what we’re calling, ‘Promoting for the Locals.’ It goes back to letting the locals know what there is go do around here.”
Some people, he said, are choosing to stay home while others don’t adhere to the guidelines.
“You’ve got to be smart about it,” he said. “How do you educate the consumer on doing it right? You’re already starting to see cases spike a little bit and why is that?”
Byrne spoke of how Delaware County and the Philadelphia region have been watching areas like Pittsburgh and Allegheny County to get ahead of virus spikes that they’re experiencing.
“You try to learn from that,” he said.
Hence, the county’s push to have residents report if restaurants or bars are not complying with the safety guidelines of mask wearing and social distancing. If they see that, they’re asked to call 1-800-932-0602 or to visit delcopa.gov and click on the Coronavirus badge, followed by the “Report a bar or restaurant not in compliance” link.
One way to whet the public’s appetite for socialization while also adhering to safety guidelines is by promoting outdoor activities.
“The big thing we’re doing right now is the fresh air, get out,” Byrne said. “The biggest thing we’re doing is trying to get people outside and enjoy nature.”
In conjunction with that, Visit Delco PA launched a county trail guide, with the assistance of the county Planning Department. At VisitDelcoPA.com/trails, people will see a variety of county trails divided into four regions: northern, southern, eastern, western.
“The biggest thing we wanted to make sure that there is parking there for people,” Byrne said in the locations that were placed on those maps. By clicking on a map, an individual can see the address for parking, the trail’s length and a description.
Byrne said a related promotion called “Delco Trail Mix” will be released a little later this summer to provide exposure to the variety of trails here in Delaware County from the John Heinz Wildlife Refuge to the Darby Creek Trail to the Chester Creek Trail and everything in between.
He offered some suggestions for those wanting to take to the trails.
“The big thing is you want to make sure that you’re social distancing,” Byrne said. “You don’t want to overcrowd it, keep moving, keep your space. Wear your masks, especially around other people. Be smart (and) just get out and enjoy it.”
“We would love to start promoting some of the attractions,” he added.
He spoke of Longwood Gardens, which opened a few weeks ago with a flawless plan of advance reservations and spacing out, but had to close its doors right after the reopening.
“People didn’t want to leave,” Byrne said. “The numbers got too high. They had to revamp their thinking there. These are the things we have to think about.”
Now, what’s happened is a trend being seen at a variety of attractions: reservations.
Now, at Longwood Gardens, visitors must purchase a timed ticket. Tyler Arboretum had timed ticket access only - until the region entered green phase on June 27. The trails at the arboretum reopened July 3.
Chanticleer Garden also reopened June 27. However, parking spots must be reserved in advance for all visitors and painting is not allowed in the garden at this time.
When thinking about visiting any of these locations, Byrne recommended checking first “not only to make sure that they’re open but also to check their hours and what’s required. You know you’re going to need the mask, number one, and you’re most likely going to need a reservation.”
The Media Theatre forged ahead with its Camp Media Theatre with a list of adjustments from all campers and staff wearing masks or face shields, the camp being disinfected daily with the restrooms being disinfected twice a day and distancing measures in place.
Byrne also noted two wineries as destinations to visit for outdoor tastings: the Tasting Room at Grace Winery of Sweetwater Road in Glen Mills and Penns Woods Winery in Chadds Ford.
“Reservations are required,” he explained. “They are being told that they have to limit their capacities so they’ll do it on a reservation system.”
Many locations are bound by the limit of 250 people at a time, including both guests and staff, and the 50 percent capac
ity maximum.
There’s also the car trip. “We are finding that ... for the foreseeable future, people are going to want to take day trips,” Byrne said. “We’re seeing that as far out as 500 miles. Travelers will get out, but they’re going to go by cars.”
For those traveling by plane, he offered an option. “If you do take a plane to Florida and places that are spiking, you have to quarantine (for 14 days) when you come back.”
Regional locations to visit could include Valley Forge National Park, Byrne noted.
And, there are also events, like The Parking Lot Social to be held at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Emulating drive-in theaters, 250 cars can come to the Navy Yard from July 22 through July 26 for different events from comedy to movies to bingo and DJ battles. Tickets at $29 each must be purchased online in advance at theparkinglotsocial.com.
“The Parking Lot Social has been designed with a special emphasis on the event being immersive and interactive,” cocreator Grahame Ferguson said. “Given that people will be restricted to their cars, this aspect of the event becomes super important. Think of it like a mini-festival that takes place right inside your very own car ... It’s a crazy night out that’s safe at the same time. You’ll be ‘socially distant’ but 100 percent together with hundreds of other funseekers.”
One activity that has been successful here in Delco has been outdoor dining.
“The outdoor dining is going very well right now for the restaurants, for those who are able to do it outdoors,” Byrne said, giving Media as an example.
Key is the sanitation protocol.
“When you do have guests, show them what you’re doing to sanitize, what you’re doing to clean,” he advised the facilities.
He gave the Streetlight Kitchen & Bar in the Drexelbrook as an example. There, Byrne said, there is a person who is designated to clean, walking around, wiping the heavily touched areas. He said they use a mister to spray the chairs and tables immediately after guests have left. “In a matter of minutes, it’s sanitized,” he added.
Byrne spoke to the challenges facing tourism, and just getting out and socializing again.
“It’s a lot of work,” Byrne said of the various measure being taken, “but we’ve got to do it right. Life’s not easy. It’s another barricade we’ve got to get around. But, we’re doing it together, trying to
do it the right way.”