While it’s far from unusual for popular outdoor spots such as Rocky Neck State Park and Hammonasset Beach State Park to reach maximum capacity on hot summer weekends in normal years, during this pandemic summer more residents are heading outdoors for recreation at a wider variety of parks, forests and trails. This rediscovery of the simple joys of walking, hiking, picnicking, star-gazing, camping, bird-watching and generally enjoying nature is one of those proverbial silver linings in this time when so many are feeling isolated and public health officials continue stressing the importance of social distancing.

Those wary of the crowds at beaches, or who confront limited parking restrictions imposed to avoid crowding at these facilities, have many other options for getting outdoors.

While we all have watched the uptick of outdoor activity since the early days of still-blustery March, data is now confirming springtime observations. Key findings of a state report of trail usage in April and May, for example, found that three-quarters of the trails monitored had an increased usage of more than 50% compared to the same time period in 2019. On some trail systems, usage increased by more than 100%. Further, the COVID-19 Trail Impact Report found that as trail use across the state continues to grow, residents, to avoid crowds, also are more likely to seek out typically less-popular parks and trails.

In southeastern Connecticut, we are fortunate to have many open space, park and trail system options to enjoy. Just a short drive inland from the shoreline in this, most rural part of the state, we can discover the serene beauty of the 5,000-acre Nehantic State Forest in Lyme, East Lyme and Salem or explore the almost limitless miles of trails at the nearly 26,500-acre Pachaug State Forest that sprawls through Voluntown, Sterling, Plainfield, Griswold, North Stonington and Preston. We have the benefit of municipally owned parks and open space owned by the Avalonia Land Conservancy, Groton Open Space Association, Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center and lesser known spaces such as Fort Trumbull in New London and Samuel Cote Preserve in North Stonington.

It’s good news that public open space continues to be expanded in the region. A new 2.4-mile segment of the 14.4-mile multipurpose Tri-Town Trail that has long been in the works running through Preston, Ledyard and Groton is expected to open to the public in August. This northern part of the park that will run from Preston to Bluff Point State Park when complete, was created from cow paths and ends at Clark Farm in Ledyard.

Also in Ledyard, Avalonia Land Conservancy is poised to add more than 200 acres to existing greenspace. The Atkinson and Dirlam properties on Long Cove Road will add five miles of trails for public enjoyment.

Open space acquisition and preservation for many years has been a top priority for private and public environmental organizations in Connecticut. When bulldozers began converting farmland and forests to housing developments and shopping centers at an alarming rate in the 1970s and 1980s, environmentalists sprang into action. The State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s so-called Green Plan has the goal of conserving 21% of the state’s land base by 2023. As of June 30, 2019, DEEP had achieved 75.5% of its goal.

While meeting the state goal would appear within reach if it were a typical time, we fear the pandemic’s extreme financial impact could severely hinder this progress as the type of grants necessary for future open space acquisition and conservation could become scarce.

As municipal and state officials sort out the pandemic’s economic devastation in upcoming months, we ask them to keep in mind what the virus has clearly demonstrated: outdoor natural spaces are vital to the physical and mental well-being of all and a sound investment for the future.

The Day editorial board meets with political, business and community leaders to formulate editorial viewpoints. It is composed of President and Publisher Timothy Dwyer, Executive Editor Izaskun E. Larraneta, Owen Poole, copy editor, and Lisa McGinley, retired deputy managing editor. The board operates independently from The Day newsroom.