SUMMER OF UNCERTAINTY
There’s a proper etiquette to follow to stay safe this summer on beaches and at parks across Connecticut
Find out what you can and can’t do, what is or isn’t open, and what is or isn’t happening this summer in this week’s Heart of the Coronavirus Crisis section.
Did you play football or march in the band in high school? Then you are ready to hit the beaches in Connecticut, where social-distancing sweet spots will look more like hash marks on the gridiron than the 6 feet you’ve grown used to.
The new guidelines for sunbathing — 15 feet from beach blanket to beach blanket — are aimed at making coronavirus coexistence safe, polite and, well, still fun for all throughout the warmest months of the year, state and local officials said.
“I think people are getting used to it,” Fairfield Health Director Sands Cleary said of social distancing — even in the great outdoors. “There’s still some frustration, too. I think people want to get back to normal — we all do
— but we’re just not there yet.”
The new 15-foot zones for sun-worshipers will provide ample room for singles and families to enjoy the sun, surf and sand while allowing enough room for others to walk safely between the groupings without kicking sand in their faces, said Eric Hammerling, executive director of the Connecticut Forest and Park Association.
The state is considering adding flags or some other visual aid to help visitors estimate distances on the shifting sand before setting up towels and umbrellas, he said.
Officials suggest hitting the beach early in the day and avoiding busy weekends, if possible, to let everyone work on their tans or enjoy the latest bodiceripper beach read. While most state parks have remained open throughout the pandemic, be prepared for possible closures on sunny days when the parking lots fill up quickly.
“When we’ve reached capacity, we’ve reached capacity,” Hammerling said. “That’s it.”
Updates on state park closures are posted on the Twitter feed, @CTStateParks.
And if you’re planning to dive into the water at a state park, remember that swimming is allowed only at beaches along Long Island Sound. Swimming is banned at inland lakes in the state park system due to the demands of social distancing.
The updated guidelines issued just in time for Memorial Day weekend by the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection suggest swapping a trip to popular Hammonassett or Sleeping Giant state parks for an outing at the less-crowded trails at one of the quieter spots among Connecticut’s 139 state parks and forests.
Mask-wearing is still encouraged whenever you can’t stay six feet apart. DEEP spokesman Will Healey suggested park and beachgoers keep one on hand.
Swimming is allowed at shoreline state beaches, but “masks are not recommended to be worn in the water,” he said.
Park visitors should plan ahead when it comes to other necessities. If you want to make a day of it and bring in a picnic or water bottles, be sure to plan on bringing them out with you as it will help keep trash cleanup needs to a minimum with the reduced park staff, Hammerling said.
Whether you are walking, biking or hiking, park visitors should observe the social distancing guidelines and stay six feet from other people.
But don’t meet up with other families at parks — groups of over five remain prohibited.
Which brings us to another sensitive subject: Listen to Mom and Dad and ‘go’ before you go. You might not have full use of bath houses and bathrooms once you get to the park or beach. Each family has to determine whether they feel comfortable using portable facilities, if available, which might make visits shorter than usual.
But overnight stays are banned for now: State campgrounds, cabins, youth sites, backcountry and river camping sites will be closed until at least June 11.
Like many other municipalities, Fairfield is following state guidelines for safe outdoor fun along the shore and at inland waterways. While the town beaches will be open this season, the swim area and splash pad at Lake Mohegan are closed until further notice, Cleary said.
Local residents are encouraged to read the state COVID-19 guidelines and acquaint themselves with any specific restrictions in their own communities.
Most residents are getting used to using proper outdoor etiquette “with lives on the line,” Healey said. The state noticed a considerable uptick in visitors to the parks and hiking trails even before the busy summer season and they expect big crowds for Memorial Day weekend.
“The government deserves a lot of credit for keeping parks open and safe,” Hammerling said. “We’re in such a better place than some other states.”