Signs of Spring: In midst of pandemic, locals gravitate to blossoming outdoors

Two Canada geese with five goslings head across Watson Lake on Friday, April 17, 2020. The geese are among the many signs of spring visible at Prescott’s lakes and trails. (Everett Sanborn/Courtesy)

Two Canada geese with five goslings head across Watson Lake on Friday, April 17, 2020. The geese are among the many signs of spring visible at Prescott’s lakes and trails. (Everett Sanborn/Courtesy)

In a spring unlike any other, more people than ever appear to be looking to the constancy of nature.

Throughout the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, parking lots at popular City of Prescott lakes and trails have been packed. Based on a car-counting system, city officials estimate that outdoor recreational use is up 30% to 80%, depending on the site.

Just over the past several weeks, the number of vehicles at city lakes has grown from the high-5,000s range to the high 7,000s, said Recreational Services Director Joe Baynes.

Chris Hosking, trails and natural parklands coordinator, said popular trails such as the Peavine and the Constellation Trail are seeing usage that is nearly double the usual numbers.

Normally, the Peavine gets about 5,500 users a month, Hosking said, and it is currently getting about 9,000. Monthly usage at the Constellation Trails has gone from about 5,000 to 8,000.

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Hedgehog cactus blooms are starting to open up in Prescott — among the many flowers blossoming all over the Prescott area on April 18, 2020. City officials say use of outdoor recreational facilities is up by between 30% and 80% during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Cindy Barks/Courier)

SPRING IS UNFOLDING

And thanks to a relatively wet winter and spring 2020, trail and park visitors are getting a Technicolor show this year.

Signs of spring are everywhere along the lakeshores and trails — from baby goslings floating on the blue waters of Watson Lake to the ruby-red flowers blooming from spiky hedgehog cacti along the Peavine Trail.

Purple, white, and red wildflowers are also beginning to blossom along the trails.

“Just because of the healthy rains, spring is unfolding with a lot of wildflowers,” Prescott Recreation Service Director Joe Baynes said this week. “This is a great time to take your time on the trail and listen.”

Amateur bird and wildlife photographer and regular trail user Everett Sanborn has noticed a different atmosphere along the lakeshores and trails this year.

“Like most bird and wildlife photographers, I am out very often, but this year is different,” Sanborn said. “People who are not out that often normally seeing me with a camera often stop to ask me questions about the area or what I am taking photos of, etc.”

Even though the lakes and trails are more crowded than usual, Sanborn said, “It is fun to see so many people taking the time to get out and enjoy our beautiful lakes and trails.”

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An osprey launches from a tree branch at Watson Lake on Friday, April 17, 2020. The springtime scenes at Prescott lakes and trails have been attracting more people than ever into the outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Everett Sanborn/Courtesy)

‘CHECK OUT A NEW TRAIL’

With the additional people on the trails, Baynes says some of the more popular trailheads and parking lots are more packed than usual.

He suggests that people check out something a bit farther out, where crowds are likely to be thinner. “Get on a trail you haven’t been on before,” he suggests.

While the Granite Dells-area trails are likely to be swamped with people, Baynes says other city trails such as the Badger Mountain Trail or segments of Prescott Circle Trail will probably to be less crowded.

“I would stay away from the Flume or the Constellation trails (in the Granite Dells area),” Baynes said. “But this is a beautiful time of year to explore the Badger Mountain Trail or the Ranch Trail.”

For great views right in the city, Hosking suggests the Prescott Lakes Trails, starting on Sarafina or Solstice, as well as the 25 miles of trails at Pioneer Park. The Community Nature Center near Granite Mountain School is another view trail that is good for children, he said.

“If you go to a parking lot and the parking lot’s full, don’t park along the road,” Hosking suggests. “Have a Plan B or a Plan C.”

Information about the city’s trails is available online at: http://www.prescott-az.gov/recreation-events/recreation-areas/trails/.

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

The City of Prescott chose early on to keep its parks, lakes, and trails open during the pandemic, and also opted to waive its parking fees at the lakes and popular trailheads.

Baynes said he expects that policy to continue during the pandemic, as long as people adhere to CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines on keeping six feet of “social distance” from one another while on the trails and parks.

So far, he said most people are following those guidelines. In fact, he said, “I think it has gotten better.”

Baynes said he continues to feel that getting outside is crucial for people during this time of quarantine.

“I think it’s really important for people’s mental health,” he said, adding that the usage increase is likely the result of people seeking a physical outlet while having to stay at home during the pandemic.

Follow Cindy Barks on Twitter @Cindy_Barks. Reach her at 928-445-3333, ext. 2034, or cbarks@prescottaz.com.

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(Cindy Barks/Courier)

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(Cindy Barks/Courier)

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(Cindy Barks/Courier)


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