Council stresses social distancing

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Cyclists and walkers can still enjoy the county and state parks and trails, but social distancing is still stressed.

Delaware County Councilwoman Elaine Schaefer wants people to enjoy the county parks, but she also wants them to maintain the recommended six-foot social distance and to understand, "If you can touch it, it's closed."

Schaefer held a press conference near a parking area along the Chester Creek Trail near Linvilla Orchards Thursday afternoon. The purpose was to remind people to use the county and state parks but be safe in the process during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Delaware County Councilwoman Elaine Schaefer stresses the need for people to maintain recommended social distancing.

While Pennsylvania residents are under a directive from the governor to stay inside until the end of April, people are allowed outside. However, "It's important to do that safely," Schaefer said.

"Coming outside, exercising and getting out in the sun is a part of maintaining our physical and mental health. So, we're striving to keep our trails and open spaces open. However," she said, "it is imperative that, when people go outside to enjoy the trails and open space, that they do so safely."

Schaefer continued by saying that while state and Delaware County trails and parks are open, facilities and all infrastructure are closed. That means playground equipment, basketball courts, bathrooms, water fountains and garbage receptacles are closed. "If you can touch it, it's closed. The virus spreads outside."

She said to maintain social distancing even when out in the open space. Stay six feet apart and if someone is approaching on a narrow trail, step aside to keep a safe distance.

"We don't want people touching things; we don't want people congregating. You can't play basketball without congregating," she said. "Kids can't play on a Jungle Jim without getting too close to each other."

According to Schaefer, some people aren't getting the idea.

"We're trying very hard to communicate that it's important not to use this infrastructure. Our local authorities and our county authorities will be enforcing these rules."

Social distancing will be enforced.

When asked how those rules would be enforced and what penalties people might incur, Schaefer only said that "DelCo residents are a smart bunch, and if they're not adhering to the rules, they just need to be reminded."

She then stressed that the most important thing to do is to maintain social distancing. "When you are outside, walking in your neighborhood, on a trail or in the woods, you must stay six feet away from anyone who is not in your immediate household. That is inside, outside, anywhere you go."

She added that if a trail is crowded, which is usually between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m., drive away and come back when it's not so crowded. Better yet, she said, "Come in the early morning and you will have no trouble practicing the social distancing rule. And go to places that other people don't go to."

She also said people should not recreate anywhere if they don't feel well.

"Do not come outside and recreate around other people if you are feeling sick," Schaefer said.

She also reminded people that while parks are open, they are only staffed with skeleton crews, so people need to take away their trash and pick up after their dogs.

"It's also important not to let your pet off-leash," she said. "If you have to retrieve your dog from playing with somebody else's dog, you're getting too close to a person who is not in your immediate household," Schaefer said. "If we follow all of these rules and are vigilant about making sure we enjoy the outdoors safely, we can continue to do this through this period."

About Rich Schwartzman

Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.

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