Go for a walk in the face of the COVID-19

Sunshine is in the forecast.

The walls have been closing in during this stay-at-home period and since spring finally seems to have decided to arrive for real, it’s time to get walking.

A hike in the woods would be great, but unfortunately conditions are still a little too muddy.

That means “chasing pavement” as Adele would say. And because sidewalks can be iffy or non-existent, that can also mean walking in the street.

No one wants to be a traffic casualty after dodging the pandemic, so remember the safety rules from elementary school:

•If you’re walking in the street, always walk on the left side. That way, you’ll be facing oncoming traffic and will know when to get out of the way.

•Wear brightly colored clothing. Something high visibility could save your life.

On top of that, there are some basic COVID-19 guidelines to follow:

•Wear a mask. If you don’t have a mask, cover your nose and mouth with a scarf of some sort. Even a bandana will do.

•Remember social distancing. It’s okay to walk as a pair with your significant other. But it’s not OK to be elbow-to-elbow with people outside your household. And it’s definitely not OK to walk three or four abreast.

With those rules in mind, here are half a dozen paved walking routes that could help improve your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health in these challenging times.

•Dunkirk City Park. You’ll find the playground equipment sporting yellow caution tape to keep kids off; that’s because hard, shiny surfaces are particularly prone to passing along the coronavirus. The Speedcat Alley area is open to vehicular traffic, but it doesn’t get much. It’s generally safer for walking than most city streets. No specific route is necessary. There’s a roundabout in the middle of the park where the American Legion Post has erected a series of flagpoles. That gives you the option of walking one route, then spinning off on another. There’s parking available at the West Jay Community Center.

•Hudson Family Park. That’s an obvious and popular choice. It may also be one that complicates social distancing. When things dry out a bit, the Kelly Baggs Nature Trail is worth an explore. Ben Myron’s company has done an excellent job of clearing out ash trees that were hammered by the emerald ash borer. But for now, the asphalt paved path that goes from the playground toward the amphitheatre and around the pond is the best choice. One of the advantages of this path is that you can customize the length depending upon your energy level and the quality of the day. There’s plenty of parking available. If you want to really stretch your legs, leave the car by Freedom Park and take the Riverwalk along the Salamonie to Wayne Street, then take the bridge and enter the park in the Weiler-Wilson section.

•Veronica’s Trail. Loblolly Wetlands Nature Preserve is one of Jay County’s finest outdoor recreational sites. Again, the regular trails could be muddy for the next few weeks. But Veronica’s Trail is an asphalt paved route that leads to a boardwalk over a wetland and up to a site on higher ground that’s a nice place for bird watching. The preserve is located on county road 250 West, north of Indiana 18. There’s a small parking lot on the west side of the road, and Veronica’s Trail leads away from that to the west. It gets its name from a young girl who visited the Loblolly site on a school trip. She was in a wheelchair and couldn’t take the trail that existed at the time. The next time she visited, it had been paved so that she could share the experience with her classmates.

•Jay County Fairgrounds. Few sites provoke more local pride than the fairgrounds. And when it’s not bustling with activity, it offers an abundance of safe, paved walking routes through mature trees. The fair association has done an excellent job over the years, maintaining and improving the property. With gatherings at the fairgrounds at risk this year because of COVID-19, take advantage of enjoying it in its natural, quieter state.

•The fitness trail at IU Health Jay Hospital. This is a shorter route, so you’ll probably want to do multiple laps. The location is convenient, it’s paved, it’s peaceful and there’s plenty of parking adjacent to the trail at the hospital.

•Green Park Cemetery. This one may sound a little grim. After all, meditating on one’s mortality has been an everyday activity these days. But walkers discovered this spot years ago and have found it a thought-provoking, quiet place to get some fresh air and sunshine. You’ll see some familiar names along the way, and you may learn a bit of local history.

Most importantly, you’ll get out of the house.

And when you get back, be sure to wash your hands.