Over the weekend, new signage reflecting coronavirus times were installed in Fort Greene Park and McCarren Park in Brooklyn by NYC Parks. The red signs read “Keep This Far Apart” and have a double-ended arrow six feet long to indicate the recommended social distance. It’s a followup to the digital GIF that NYC Parks released almost a month ago showing what six feet apart looks like. The signage is up also in tandem with a new program from NYC Parks called Parks@Home, which offers virtual recreational and educational programming, including live walks in NYC Parks, fitness videos, meditation, arts and cultural programs, and live events with NYC Parks Rangers.
Photo courtesy NYC Parks
NYC Parks Commissioner, Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP (left, in photo at top of article) is an avid runner who has been documenting his exercise and whether people in the park have been properly social distancing on his Instagram account. He says of the new initiative, “Right now, we’re all dealing with a new reality of limited interactions with the world outside of our apartments. But while our worlds have become smaller, we are committed to bringing our 30,000 acres of green space and our countless free programs to you in your homes. Our new Parks@Home series features fun ways to still enjoy nature, fitness, education, and culture that NYC Parks offers—while you stay home. And, let’s not forget, if you do make your way to a park, you must practice social distancing by keeping at least six feet between you and those you do not live with.”
Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver, left. Photo courtesy NYC Parks
Additional designs for the “Keep This Far Apart” signage are being considered, so you might see more soon. Additional unique content you can find at Parks@Home include discovering every single street tree virtually, watch a hawk family live near Washington Square Park, tour of the Central Park Arsenal exhibition “The Gleaner’s Song” by Alice Momm (also where NYC Parks office is located), live tour of Marine Park and more.
Next, check out these fun street signs reimagined for social distancing. See an updated interactive map of coronavirus cases by zip code.
