A COVID-19 Day at the Beach the New England States, Maine and New Hampshire Especially, to Figure out How Peo- Sunscreen, Bathing Suit, Face Mask, Tape Measure
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HARVARD SQUARED munity Trail—or car. Not far away, both the including an active Boston-based group, Breakheart Reservation in Wakefield (get a that offer close-to-home hikes, walks, bike workout running its hills, then take a dip in trips, and paddling adventures. AMC presi- the lake, if it’s open) and the Rumney Marsh dent and CEO John Judge, M.P.A. ’01, also Reservation (boating, walking, and fishing) recommends heading out to walk or bike on are also quick escapes into nature. From the sections of the AMC-coordinated Bay Cir- salt marshes, zip over to Revere Beach, or cuit Trail and Greenway, a system in prog- check out other local parks and semi-urban ress that curves west of Boston, extending shorelines—in Nahant, Winthrop, Boston, more than 230 dedicated miles from New- and Quincy. buryport and Plum Island to Kingston Bay, It’s clear that the COVID-19 pandemic’s near Plymouth. (Find route details and maps THE TRUSTEES THE “stay-at-home” or “shelter in place” guid- for the greenway’s current components, Meander through World’s End, Hingham. ance has motivated “folks looking for new many accessible by public transportation, ways to engage with their surroundings at baycircuit.org.) The New England Na- crowds were arriving at trailheads, including and with nature,” Mass Audubon’s Gail tional Scenic Trail covers 215 miles across many newer hikers ill-prepared for weather Yeo reports, “and nature isn’t just out in Connecticut and Massachusetts. In central and climbing conditions. For those novices, the woods. It’s all around us, right by our Massachusetts, less than two hours’ drive he recommends learning more about out- homes and apartments—and we really want from Boston, the 4.8-mile Erving Ledges- door adventuring online through AMC. But to help people recognize that.” Watching Hermit Mountain trail above Millers River he also emphasizes that too many trekkers birds, insects, and squirrels, noticing their offers panoramic views. Experienced hik- may cause irreparable damage to trails and behaviors, playful interactions, and feeding ers may enjoy the 1,240-foot Mount Lincoln threaten wildlife habitats and other ecolog- habits—or measuring and monitoring the route, in Pelham, or the easier, but reward- ically sensitive environments that AMC is health of trees and plants—can easily be ing, Royalston Falls. charged with stewarding. “We want people done in any local urban park. Judge agrees with Yeo that “people are to get outdoors and connect with nature, The Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) obviously chomping at the bit to get out.” at this time more than ever, and we believe has local chapters throughout New England, Even earlier this spring, he reported, large people need it—it’s a shot in the arm spiritu- ally, mentally, physically,” he acknowledges. “That said,” he adds, “we are working with STAFF PICK: A COVID-19 Day at the Beach the New England states, Maine and New Hampshire especially, to figure out how peo- Sunscreen, bathing suit, face mask, tape measure. Check. Beaches in and around ple can come up to Grafton Loop [38.6-mile Boston this year are drawing lines in the sand by restricting activities and, in many backcountry hiking in the Mahoosuc Moun- cases, reducing access to prevent overcrowding. tains] and Mount Lafayette and Franconia All Massachusetts state beaches—whether along the coast or inland lakes and Ridge [Lincoln, New Hampshire] without ponds—have reopened (for now), but require face masks and 12-foot spacing between the trails becoming like one of those clear non-related individuals, and limit groups to 10 or fewer people. “Passive” recreation— days on Mount Everest where you’ve got swimming, walking, sunbathing, and picnicking—is allowed; organized group sports people back-to-back waiting to summit.” are not. Check out Salisbury Beach State Reservation, and the lakes at Leomin- In an initial response to COVID-19, AMC ster State Forest and Hopkinton State Park or, closer to Boston, Mystic Lakes closed its alpine huts for the first time in 132 State Park, in Medford. years and its 12 summer-camping and cabin On Cape Cod and other coastal spots north and south of Boston, many munici- properties. But in late May, it opened reserva- palities, like Manchester-by-the-Sea and Gloucester, have opened beaches and park- tions for these lodging sites: Gorman Chair- ing lots to residents only, although Wingaersheek Beach offers some non-resident back and Medawisla (in Maine), and the parking spots daily on a first-come, first-served basis. Highland Center at Crawford Notch, Joe GEORGIA P. ZUMWALT/ALAMYGEORGIA STOCK P. PHOTO New Hampshire’s ocean beaches are also open, and authorities have created larg- Dodge Lodge at Pinkham Notch, and Car- er pedestrian zones, through partial digan Lodge (in New Hampshire). All were Salisbury Beach State Reservation road closures and the elimination of slated to start housing hikers as of July 1— parking spots, to accommodate the with varying controls over food service and social-distancing requirements. In restrooms, and guest rooms occupied at half contrast to Massachusetts, however, capacity. Judge does expect packed parking New Hampshire allows only walking, lots and streams of day-hikers, and therefore running, swimming, and surfing—no advises planning non-weekend excursions— tanning, napping, or picnicking. “This or, better yet, opting instead for outdoor lo- is not a time to drop your blanket and cales much closer to home, where the rewards sit around,” according to Governor of nature are often just as beautiful and restor- Chris Sununu: “We want people to ative. “You can see some of the world’s most be moving.” vN.P.B. beautiful outdoors and wilderness,” he says, “right here in New England.” 8F July - August 2020 Reprinted from Harvard Magazine. For more information, contact Harvard Magazine, Inc. at 617-495-5746.