Local leaders, conservancy and park staffers, and residents are seeing a surge in public use of outdoor spaces across Leelanau County, including trails, boat ramps, beaches and preserves.

The state’s Stay Home Stay Safe executive order mandates that Michigan residents who engage in an outdoor activity still need to remain at least six feet apart from anyone outside their household. As individuals and families make use of open outdoor areas, The Leelanau Ticker shares the following updates and public messages:

“We know spending time outdoors can offer opportunities for mental and physical reset, but park staff want you to know how the rapidly evolving pandemic may impact your visit,” said Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore staff via Facebook. “The busiest times to visit Sleeping Bear Dunes are between late morning and mid-afternoon. Practice safe social distancing by visiting outside of these peak hours.”

National Lakeshore rangers also advise that social distancing can be difficult at these popular locations in the park: Empire Bluff Trail, Pyramid Point Trail, Dune Climb, and Glen Haven. They recommended to try visiting instead Platte Plains Trail, Old Indian Trail, Port Oneida, Alligator Hill Trail, and Shauger Hill Trail, adding: “if you encounter a crowded trailhead or overlook...go elsewhere.”

Staffers at the Leelanau Conservancy share a similar reminder about finding an alternate, uncrowded location among the conservancy’s 26 natural areas and preserves: “We’re so grateful that the first exception to the governor’s executive order allows us to still get outside to recreate, but please remember to respect social distancing measures at all times. If you arrive at a natural area trailhead and the parking lot is busy, please find another location.” The Conservancy tells The Leelanau Ticker that they are paying close attention to CDC, state and federal regulations and will make updates on social media if anything changes.

Cyclists have started to ride the county’s roads, especially with the recent warmer weather, says Bike Leelanau co-founder and board member Molly Steck. “I have noticed a few riders out on the roads, but overall I think most are respecting the social distancing and holding off on the bigger group rides for now.”

She adds that with the area’s mountain bike trails just recently being clear of snow, “We are encouraging folks to wait a little longer until it is safer to venture out in groups. The trails will always be there, let’s just be patient.” Bike Leelanau has cancelled both its Suttons Bay pump track demo in May and the Palmer Woods skills clinic scheduled for June.

Meanwhile, the organization’s children’s bike library is stocked and ready with approximately 50 bikes, according to Steck. “Once we are beyond the stay at home order, we will be happy to meet up with parents and get the appropriate size for their kiddos,” she says. In preparation, parents can complete a short online sign-up form.

At the Leelanau shoreline, county resident and owner of Northport Rock and Fossil Nan Vonmueller has observed an uptick of beachcombers congregating along the high-water mark of public beaches. “I collect on a private beach, but I hit the public beaches to walk my dog. Usually there is no one there at this time of year but that has changed since the quarantine. People are out looking for rocks daily.” She has observed a lack of social distancing on some visits.

Elsewhere on the water: effective as of sunset on April 2, the villages of Suttons Bay and Northport closed their in-town boat ramps until further notice, due to the large number of fishermen congregating in the vicinity. Leelanau County Undersheriff Steve Morgan told The Leelanau Ticker that officials in the villages, not the Department of Natural Resources, have decided to close the ramps due to improper social distancing practices in the parking lots and surrounding area.

At outdoor areas where public use is not currently restricted, The National Recreation and Park Association nonprofit has these recommendations to keep a safe physical distance during the COVID-19 pandemic:

• Follow The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidance on personal hygiene prior to heading to trails — wash hands, carry hand sanitizer, do not use trails if you have symptoms.
• Observe at all times CDC’s minimum recommended physical distancing of six feet from other people. Practice it and know what it looks like.
• Warn other trail users of your presence with a voice, bell or horn, and as you pass to allow proper distance and step off trails to allow others to pass, keeping minimum recommended distances at all times.
• Note that trail and park users may find public restrooms closed — be prepared.
• Bring water — public drinking fountains may be disabled and should not be used, even if operable.
• Bring a suitable trash bag. Leave no trash, take everything out to protect park workers.