The silver lining of quarantine: Cleaner air, parks and rec

It’s easy to lament on the negatives that have come out of the COVID-19 pandemic hit. But let’s take a quick second to focus on a couple of positives that emerged from the stay-at-home order.

On Thursday, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission’s (MORPC) released a report detailing the effects that COVID-19 had on transportation and sustainability. Of course, we know there were fewer cars on the road with people quarantined to their houses, which means less pollution. 

But what have been some of the specific effects of the shutdowns?

With fewer people traveling, here have been some of the positives of quarantining during COVID-19:

• Ozone pollution has decreased eight percent below its five-year average, with values being measured at a 20-year low
• Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks visits increased 35 percent in April, compared to data from April 2019

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On top of decreasing ozone pollution, quarantining has also brought Columbus residents back to the parks. With an assortment of running, hiking, and biking trails, archery and disc golf courses, kayaking and fishing spots, and much more, people from all around the world have once again been using metro parks as a way to reconnect with the world. 

However, with the world starting to take off the yellow tape that kept us closed for a couple of months, the MORPC has already seen an increase in public transportation. The Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) scaled back its fixed-route services to 53 percent capacity from March 17 until April 27. That number has steadily increased since May 4, when minor service additions were made.

So as more ways of entertaining ourselves inch back into our lives, will you continue to take your dog for a walk around the metro parks with entertainment venues reopening? Has reconnecting with nature been a positive experience for you? Sound off in the comments below!

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