More land to explore during outbreak
WARWICK » No movies theaters to go to, no malls to shop in. Can’t belly up to the bar or pull up a table at a new restaurant. Concerts are canceled, museums are closed, and you can’t break a sweat in a fitness center, even if you had the motivation to.
So where are people going for relaxation and recreation in Chester County during this age of the COVID-19 outbreak? Outdoors, apparently.
Those associated with nature preserves and municipal parks and trails report that they are seeing a significant increase in the number of visitors to those open space properties that offer passive, no-cost recreation, where residents can breath fresh air, get some exercise and try to reduce the stress of coronavirus cabin fever.
Even though Gov. Tom Wolf on Monday, March 23, ordered residents of the suburban Philadelphia region to stay home for two weeks to try to reduce the continued coronavirus outbreak, he did not forbid the use of parks or open spaces entirely, simply counseling judicious use of people’s time out of doors and prudent steps to contain contact with others.
News of the uptick in use comes at a time when one of the region’s largest land conservation organizations, Natural Lands, announced acquisition of even more space to add to one of its preserves in northern Chester County, the Crow’s Nest Preserve in Warwick.
The purchase of the 82acre wooded property, known as the Warwick Woods Campground, increases the preserve’s size to 454 acres and provides a scenic buffer for a section of the Horseshoe Trail, which traverses the property.
“Adding these 82 acres to our Crow’s Nest Preserve means they will be available to the public, free of charge, to explore and enjoy,” said Oliver
Bass, president of Natural Lands, in a press release issued Monday.
Crow’s Nest Preserve and the 82-acre addition are part of the Hopewell Big Woods, a vast, unbroken forest that offers critical habitat for a number of species, including migratory songbirds.
“Contrary to the old adage ‘let nature take its course,’ natural areas need help to become — and remain — places where people, plants, and wildlife can thrive,” Bass said. “We will care for this land using the skills and knowledge our stewardship team has gleaned over many decades.”
Kirsten Werner, the organization’s communications director, said on Tuesday that the organization’s preserve managers believe that visitation is about five times the average for this time of year at the multiple locations across the county.
“We’re estimating about 61,000 people have visited this current March,” she said. At the top of the list are the Stroud Preserve in East Bradford, just west of West Chester, and ChesLen Preserve in Newlin. “But we’ve seen tons of folks at Binky Lee, Crow’s Nest, and Bryn Coed Preserves too,” she said, referring to other Natural Lands preserves in the county.
In East Bradford, Township Manager Mandie Cantlin said that although the township had not yet experienced the rise in use that the Stroud Preserve has, her staff was definitely seeing more use, particularly during normal off times during the work and school day.
“East Bradford is fortunate in that we have a wide variety of parks, open spaces, and trails,” Cantlin said. “We recognize how important these outdoor facilities are to residents during this isolated period. Getting outdoors and exercising are both healthy options for Chester County residents during this unusual period.”
Both Cantlin and Bass, in speaking about the benefits to a walk in the woods, stressed that it was important that visitors observe social distancing guidelines and adhere to all the typical rules and regulations. “If a parking lot is full, residents should be prepared to look for another alternative,” Cantlin said.
“The power of nature provides constant inspiration to those of us engaged in Natural Lands’ day-to-day efforts to save open space, care for nature, and connect people to the outdoors,” exclaimed Bass. “In the face of the coronavirus, we find ourselves drawing on this even more.
“The more than 120 miles of trails on our properties offer a perfect opportunity for people to escape from the frantic news. To take a deep breath and connect to nature. To find a moment of peace. To recharge. We are so pleased to be able to offer this small but valuable public service at such a challenging time.”
To contact staff writer Michael P. Rellahan call 610-696-1544.