Is outside canceled? Not in Simi, as long as people behave




PLAYTIME—Caleb Bystrom, 15, of Simi Valley plays basketball March 20 at Rancho Tapo Community Park in Simi Valley. MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers

PLAYTIME—Caleb Bystrom, 15, of Simi Valley plays basketball March 20 at Rancho Tapo Community Park in Simi Valley. MICHAEL COONS/Acorn Newspapers

Disneyland closed this month in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and judging by the crowds at local parks and open spaces this weekend, everyone decided to enjoy the arrival of spring in the great outdoors.

Popular trails and open space areas throughout the region saw unprecedented crowds as the state of California’s response to the COVID-19 crisis forced the closure of malls, amusement parks and other recreational options.

But as more people than ever funneled onto trails, filling some parking lots, it has left many wondering if the masses of visitors to the great outdoors defeats the purpose of social-distancing efforts.

Already California State Parks and the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area have heeded the governor’s call to close parking lots to discourage crowds.

As of Wednesday, Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District officials said parks and trails in Simi Valley and Oak Park remain open. People have been cooperative and respectful of the social distancing rules, they said.

But playground structures, exercise stations, golf courses and recreation centers are closed and shall not be used, said Dan Paranick, general manager for Rancho Simi. Organized activities such as youth sports have been canceled.

Residents are urged to maintain 6 feet of physical separation and practice proper hygiene to limit the spread of COVID-19.

“Due to public health officials identifying that outdoors is an essential activity, parks, trails, public restrooms and other outdoor spaces will remain open at this time,” the district said in a March 23 statement.

Rancho Simi maintains over 8,000 acres of open space and more than 80 miles of trails in Simi Valley and Oak Park.

The agency is doing its best to create a safe situation, but if that can’t be done, then closures are a possibility, Paranick said.

“The governor’s order does encourage exercise activity, so we’re keeping our facilities open to allow people to get exercise and outdoor time for their health.

“People have been great at the parks and on the trails too. They are being cooperative so far, and we ask them to continue,” Paranick said.

The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, which controls 75,000 acres of parks and open space in the Santa Monica Mountains and surrounding areas, announced Sunday that it was closing all of its parks and trails out of concern for public health. The closure came after days of pleading from park officials to maintain proper social distancing in outdoor areas.

On Monday, California State Parks announced a “soft closure” of many of its properties, meaning that parking lots would be closed to deter crowds but access to trails and parks would remain open.

The soft closure affected Malibu Creek and Leo Carrillo state parks and Point Dume State Beach. While most National Park Service trails managed by the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area remain open (Solstice Canyon was closed due to crowds), parking lots owned by that agency are closed.

Sylvie Belmond contributed to this report.