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KLMNO Trsunday, avjune 28, 2020 . Sectione E l EZ EE Michael C. Snell ALASTAIR PIKE Explore Minnesota A breath of fresh air As summer gets underway and the nation heads outdoors, a look at the top 10 U.S. park cities BY MELANIE D.G. KAPLAN many facilities (bathrooms, visitor centers, water fountains) around the country remain This spring, I’ve found hope hiking on closed, so plan accordingly. Some cities don’t wooded trails, joy spotting foxes around a expect their outdoor pools to open this forest and comfort strolling in open pastures. summer. For jet-setters, road trippers and back- A sunny spot in this pandemic is the packers alike, parks — quiet, spacious, safe number of “slow streets,” or roadways that and nourishing — have helped us cope with are closed to all or most car traffic to create the pandemic in so many ways. Even as safe spaces for pedestrians, runners and stay-at-home orders become suggestions cyclists. Cities that have designated slow over the next months and some of us streets include Minneapolis; Washington, cautiously travel outside our hometowns, D.C.; Portland; and San Francisco. Seattle parks will remain important destinations on announced that 20 miles of roads would our itineraries. permanently close to most vehicle traffic — a If and when you visit parks in other areas move that other progressive cities may of the country, check for reopening updates follow. and current restrictions (some parks require In May, the Trust for Public Land released masks). Be respectful of locals and under- its annual ParkScore index, ranking U.S. stand that residents rely on neighborhood cities on their parks, based on acreage, access parks for their own physical and mental for residents, amenities and investment. This health. year, Minneapolis unseated Washington for In my own park visits, I’ve had more ease Kate Gille/Cincinnati Parks Foundation the top ParkScore spot. with social distancing when I visit during FROM TOP LEFT: Bikers ride along a trail in Irvine, Calif. A rainbow appears Below are the top 10 ParkScore cities, with slower times (early mornings and weekdays); shortly after rain at Gravelly Point Park in Arlington, Va. Visitors enjoy Minnehaha some spots the cities and locals suggest for if a park is too crowded, try another day or Falls at Minnehaha Regional Park in Minneapolis. Hikers in Ohio explore Burnet social distancing. another park. According to park websites, Woods, a 90-acre park in Cincinnati and a top spot for birding and hiking. see parks on E16 outdoors Safety is paramount as the popularity of hiking skyrockets. E14 | reopening Attractions with a tactile component face additional challenges. E15 The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted travel domestically and around the world. You will find the latest developments on The Post’s live blog at www.washingtonpost.com/coronavirus/ E16 EZ EE the washington post . sunday, june 28, 2020 the city by the Fleischmann Yeast Company heirs), a beautifully Exploring landscaped four-acre park with winding walkways and an ever- green maze; and Wilson Com- the nation’s mons on the west side, with a walking loop and an overlook of the Ohio River. Burnet Woods, a trails and top spot for birding and hiking, is a 90-acre park near the Univer- pastures iStock iStock sity of Cincinnati. 4. Arlington, Va.: While some parks from E13 of Arlington’s top trails (Mount Vernon, Four Mile Run and 10. Chicago: With Chicago’s W&OD) are crowded at peak lakefront still closed, it’s a good times, the city has plenty of open time to explore the city’s green space at lesser known spots such areas. Millennium Park, Lincoln as Fort C.F. Smith, a 19-acre park Park, Grant Park, Burnham Park, with short trails, Civil War earth- Harold Washington Park and works ruins, a lush tree canopy Jackson Park all recently re- and an open meadow. Long opened. Humboldt Park, which Bridge Park, a stone’s throw from features lagoons connected by a the Pentagon and the Potomac, prairie river, is great for spread- features open spaces and a wide ing out with your family, and raised esplanade overlooking the Clark Park, on the east bank of river and Roaches Run Waterfowl the Chicago River, offers a new Sanctuary. Glencarlyn Park is running trail that connects to nearly 100 acres, with wooded Horner Park. Dan Ryan Woods is trails and a stream. Arlington’s a 257-acre forest preserve on the national park sites, Gravelly Point South Side with a mile-long and Theodore Roosevelt Island, paved loop that connects to are also social-distance-friendly. eight-mile-long Major Taylor Trail. The Chicago Park District 3. St. Paul, Minn.: Two local is deploying 100 social distanc- favorites are Como and Phalen ing ambassadors to provide guid- regional parks, with large and ance for visitors on health and picturesque lakes (walking paths safety. around the perimeter), golf courses, open play areas, picnic 9. Boston: Boston’s largest spots, fishing piers and boating open space is Franklin Park, one access. Head to Indian Mounds of six parks that make up the Regional Park, home to six Native Frederick Law Olmsted-designed American burial grounds, for bik- chain called the Emerald Neck- ing and hiking trails plus views of lace. Head to Franklin for a walk the Mississippi River and down- around Scarboro Pond, or to town St. Paul. And Crosby Farm is explore the Wilderness a 65-acre one of three regional parks along native oak forest with meander- Scott Olson/Getty Images the Mississippi, with six miles of ing paths. Millennium Park is a paved trails. 100-acre park in the West Rox- bury neighborhood with hiking 2. Washington, D.C.: The Na- trails, accessible walking trails, tional Park Service manages hun- fields and a canoe launch (for- dreds of sites across the nation’s merly a landfill and covered by capital, much of the total park- dirt excavated from the Big Dig). land in the city. Perhaps best Another place to social distance: known are the iconic monu- the Neponset River Reservation, ments and memorials and the a natural inlet with marshlands, Mall, with wide paths and ample wetlands and the two-mile Quin- grassy stretches. Rock Creek Park cy Riverwalk path. is a favorite among locals for its wooded hiking trails, paved 8. San Francisco: Intrigued by paths and open roadways. Ana- social distancing circles? You can costia Riverwalk Trail tends to be find them at Lafayette, Mission less busy than other walking and Dolores, Washington Square and biking trails in the city; it passes Precita parks, Little Marina through Kenilworth Park & Green, Alamo Square and Jack- Aquatic Gardens, a compact na- son Playground. Golden Gate BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/Agence France-Presse/Getty Images Visit Saint Paul tional park site perfect for bird- National Recreation Area (com- ing and strolling. The National posed of 37 parks, 80,000 acres as Quail Hill (the only dog- Arboretum in Northeast is nearly and 130 miles of trails) includes friendly preserve area) and Bom- 450 acres with hiking trails, open spectacular spots such as the mer Canyon. fields, almost 10 miles of winding Presidio (forests, a lake and doz- roadways, and special collections ens of miles for hiking and 6. Portland, Ore.: Forest Park of bonsais, ferns, dogwoods, aza- biking). Also check out national is one of the country’s largest leas and herbs. parks Crissy Field, a great walk- urban parks. Stretching for more ing park on a former military than seven miles along the Tuala- 1. Minneapolis: With 180 airfield; and Lands End in the tin Mountains, the park is 5,200 parks and 22 lakes, it’s no sur- northwestern corner of the city, acres, with 80 miles of trails; Leif prise that Minneapolis has which offers a windy cliff trail Erikson Drive, which is 11 miles topped the ParkScore list four of and stunning views of the shore long and plenty wide for distanc- the past five years. Grand and Golden Gate. ing, is a local favorite. Peninsula Rounds National Scenic Byway is Park, great for socially distanced a giant loop that links many of 7. Irvine, Calif.: Thanks to picnics, includes formal gardens the city’s most popular outdoor this SoCal city’s master plan, (the city’s first public rose gar- spaces and includes 51 miles of one-third of Irvine’s land is pre- den) and paved paths. Alterna- paths for social distancing (enjoy served for outdoor recreation — tively, visitors can loop around the parkways that are now closed including 62 miles of off-street the Willamette River on the to cars in the area around the trails and the largest acreage of Eastbank Esplanade and Water- Chain of Lakes and riverfront). natural habitats and wild lands front Park Trail, crossing the Mississippi Gorge Regional Park in Orange County. The Orange Hawthorne Bridge at the south flanks the east and west banks of County Great Park (repurposed and Steel Bridge at the north. the river, stretching from Bridge from a decommissioned Marine No. 9 to the north edge of Corps Air Station), Colonel Bill Travel Portland 5. Cincinnati: Mt. Airy Forest Minnehaha Regional Park, Barber Marine Corps Memorial FROM TOP LEFT: Lands End, in the northwestern corner of San Francisco, offers a windy cliff is the city’s largest park, with known for its 53-foot waterfall Park and Jeffrey Open Space trail and stunning views of the shore. Jamaica Pond, in the Jamaica Plain neighborhood of nearly 1,500 acres, including hik- and hikes. Check here for up- Trail are three parks with spa- Boston, is part of the Emerald Necklace, a chain of parks linked by parkways and waterways.