Mix together isolation, boredom and closed parks and it takes a toll on some students’ mental health.
“Spring is usually a time for me to go on a lot of beautiful hikes before the heat of summer comes. I’m actually surprised at how much missing that outdoor time is affecting me,” said anthropology sophomore Alona Hazen in a text message. “I think that seasonal affective disorder or seasonal depression has been prolonged for many people because we aren’t doing any of the activities that usually signify the arrival of spring.”
All the local parks within walking distance from
Hazen’s house in Downtown San Jose are closed off and Hazen said she and her younger brother are struggling to adjust to the lack of green space around them.
Although Hazen walks around her block, she said it is not the same as being at school.
“Campus as a green space is something we take for granted and I will definitely appreciate it more when the shelter in place is lifted and we’re able to go back,” Hazen said.
As schools and businesses closed to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, scores of people flocked to the parks and open spaces that remained open.
“Because we live in a fast-paced life, on the go, we don’t take many opportunities to enjoy these green spaces like we should be doing on a regular basis,” justice studies junior Austen Bradford said. “I’ve learned to appreciate all types of green spaces again and I’m going to continue utilizing them from now on.”
A California Parks and Recreation news release ordered the closure of all vehicular access to state parks in order to curtail mass gatherings and unnecessary travel.
Santa Clara County Parks suspended all special events and programming and closed the following county parks: Metcalf Motorcycle, Calero, Stevens Creek, Lexington Reservoir and Field Sports Park, as well as local archery ranges, disc golf courses, dog parks at Vasona, Los Gatos Creek and Ed R. Levin and all campgrounds, museums, visitor centers, group sites, yurts, golf courses, and playgrounds.
However, Santa Clara County parks and trails remain open as outdoor areas for hiking from dawn to dusk.
Santa Clara County Parks also noted that Coyote Creek Parkway and the following county parks: Sanborn, Mt. Madonna, Joseph D. Grant and Stevens Creek, are not as heavily impacted with
people, so the public can visit these alternative outdoor spaces to hike while practicing
social distancing.
People can also walk the trails during off-peak hours from Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“People are social human beings and we are part of the environment,” said Yoshitaka Iwasaki, professor and chair of the Department of Public Health and Recreation at SJSU. “So after this time I think the public, American public, global public, will recognize the importance and significance of nature for the benefit of the people and that nature provides a very powerful mechanism.”
Michelle DeCoux Hampton, a nursing professor at SJSU, said over the phone that nature is conducive to relaxation and mindfulness and that by indulging in the outdoors, people are becoming more aware of their mental well-being.
“Some people are so deeply affected by it that they’re really taking solace in nature, so I’ll say we’re really redoubling our efforts to protect the open spaces, to plan new amenities, trails [and] community gardens,” said Matt Freeman, assistant general manager of Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority.
The Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority conserves the natural environment, supports agriculture and connects people to nature by protecting open spaces, natural areas and working farms in Santa Clara and neighboring areas.
Freeman said his team saw unprecedented levels of youth interest in using the parks and trails on weekends and typical levels of visitors at preserves on weekdays.
“I think for some folks too there really is something about accessing nature, to take solace and maybe connect with their spiritual side a little bit more,” Freeman said. “So it’s been really gratifying to be able to keep the preserve.”
Despite facing some slowdowns in grants, Freeman said the Santa Clara Valley Greenprint, a
30-year roadmap that identifies goals, priorities and strategies for land conservation and highlights opportunities for partnerships and funding, is still set to be implemented.
“I think it’s great, these efforts that cities are making, to make those spaces available to us to the degree that we’re not overusing them and crowding into certain locations,” Hampton said.
The shutdown of non-essential businesses and the heat of cabin fever has sparked a newfound respect from students of open
green spaces.
“I’d definitely say that I’ve taken advantage of the local parks much more than before the shutdowns,” chemistry freshman Sammy Mendoza said. “Now that gatherings and regular face-to-face contact with other people are largely on pause, going to the park for a walk has helped maintain a sense of calm and relaxation that isolation tends to diminish.”
Green spaces are typically for recreational purposes, however, they have shown to offer a bit more during
this pandemic.
Parts of Central Park in New York City have been transformed into an outdoor field hospital with beds, tents and ventilators for COVID-19 patients, according to a
New York Post article.
In an email, a spokesperson for Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation stated they have set up a respite location in the Santa Clara Convention Center and will continually evaluate their plans during the pandemic.
“We have this pandemic necessity, enabling us to work together as a collective . . . recognizing that this space was used during this pandemic in a very unique way,” Iwasaki said. “I like to think that this pandemic will provide us to be more innovative and creative and do things differently so that we thrive later instead of just surviving in response to
this pandemic.”
