Covid-19 pandemy unearthed critical lack of suburban recreational opportunities

ABSTRACT

Covid-19 pandemy has shown the importance of outdoor recreation for populations' physical and mental health. The pressure on suburban nature areas has been greater then in times when people can choose the location of their outing. Whilst during the more modest lockdown measure the stress has been greater in attractive nature-protected areas in times of strict lockdown it has been the suburban areas that suffered the most. This trend documents how important it is to have high-quality outdoor recreation infrastructure not only in open countryside but also in close to settlements. Closeto-nature trails are of greatest significance because they allow the space to accommodate great volumes of visitor without impact on natural resource. When left alone, which is common state of affairs in the Czech Republic, trampled in user created trails appear. Such trails are often unsustainable with potentially high maintenance costs and ineffective use of space. Expertly planned trails that provide better user experience, more ergonomic use of land and lesser impact are needed. © 2021 Public Recreation and Landscape Protection - With Sense Hand in Hand! Conference Proceedings.