The outdoors invites—Winooski’s parks are open
Winooski's recreational areas, including the skate park of Landry Park, are accessible to the public amidst the ongoing pandemic (photo by Jenny Koppang)
Winooski’s parks remain a haven for residents amidst the uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 virus.
Winooski parks, trails and green spaces are open, said Ray Coffey, Director of Community Services, although playground structures remain closed. The City is committed to giving the public park access while following state guidelines and social distancing rules, Coffey said.
“We’ve put a lot of social distancing signage up throughout the parks, we’ve been changing the signs out as things get updated and to indicate group sizes.” Coffey said.
Though the pandemic has interrupted community gatherings and the strong sense of connectivity that Winooski residents enjoy, Coffey said, examples of the city’s resilience and community-building are revealed in its outdoor spaces.
Landry Park and the Gilbrook and Casavant Natural Areas are two gems of Winooski’s landscape, Coffey said.
“In Landry Park, even right now without the playground structure open, the skate park has been really vibrant and there’s lots of great spots to just sit and enjoy being out.” Coffey said.
The Gilbrook and Casavant natural areas, Coffey said, are largely undeveloped spaces with great trails, exciting viewpoints, and beautiful natural features.
“Winooski is known to be pretty urban for Vermont, but with both of these places you can forget you’re in the densest city in the state.” Coffey said.
Winooski mother, Sarah Stone, said that she and her two-year-old daughter have settled into a new routine post-COVID that still enables them to appreciate their local parks.
“Prior to COVID, we spent a lot more time at playgrounds. We would go to Landry park and meet friends there, now of course our trips are more solitary.” Stone said.
Stone said that she seeks out areas that are more quiet now, but that she and her daughter are content within Winooski’s scenic natural spaces despite the unpredictable circumstances.
Coffey advocates for Winooski residents like Stone to take advantage of the green refuges that speckle their neighborhoods.
“I encourage people in Winooski to go outside and realize that these resources are out there, often very close to their front door.” Coffey said.
Because the small city boasts residents with many different languages, Coffey said his department is working closely with the Multilingual Coronavirus Task Force to translate materials and create videos that describe different components of the COVID shutdown and reopening.
“We’ve put out a few messages through the Multilingual Task Force regarding recreational opportunities; getting outside and how to do that safely, mask wearing and mask making. We’re trying to be very aware and sensitive to the fact that we have a lot of residents here that don’t speak English as a first language.” Coffey said.
The opening of one recreational space, the Municipal Pool, has been delayed due to the COVID shutdown.
“The main pool contractor that was working with us was from out of state so because of the quarantine restrictions for out of state travel we were delayed.” Coffey said “Opening day for this pool will be postponed until next year at this point.
Winooski was one of ten communities nationally that got selected for a planning grant through the National Recreation and Parks Association.
“It’s part of an initiative called the ‘Ten Minute Walk Program’ which pushes for every city in the country to have every resident within a ten minute walk of a park or green space.” Coffey said. “Right now I think we are about at 85% coverage and have identified the area that would need a park developed to get us to 100%.”
This is a testament to Winooski’s dedication to providing its residents with outdoor opportunities and its recognition of the importance of these spaces for people’s health and wellbeing, said Coffey.
“I know, personally, everybody in my house feels pretty cooped up and having these spaces to get out into, even if it’s just taking the kids for a 15 minute walk in the woods, that can be very therapeutic.
