Cunningham Park during Coronavirus

Thankfully the number of daily 911 calls has dropped and daily patients arriving to hospitals is also on the decline. However, warm weather is making it very tempting for people to leave the house and head to the parks, especially this past weekend. Little Bay Park was so full the main parking lot (by Fort Totten) was closed off by police, while the second parking lot under Throgs Neck Bridge was overflowing.

Cunningham Park was more manageable. While there were still a lot of people, it was easier to keep distance from other people except for certain walkways, particularly leading to and from the parking lot.

NYPD and NYC Park Rangers were also handing out free face masks to people in various parks around Queens, including here (though this park wasn't listed on the website).

nice 70°F weather in Queens

watching the sun set over the park

barbecue grills are blocked to prevent use

tables have been turned upside down to prevent people from gathering and using them

picnic areas have been roped off

posted signs

another roped off area

NYPD handing out free face masks

NYPD handing out free face masks

tennis courts have been locked

sign posted at tennis courts, though there's too much condensation to read it

bocce ball court is also blocked off

Alley Pond Park during Coronavirus

NYC continues getting over 7000 emergency calls everyday this week, with no end in sight.

Below are photos from today in Alley Pond Park. The park definitely had a lot more people than a typical weekday. The fields have enough space for people to space apart, even with some people deciding it's a good time to picnic. In the hiking trails, however, it's much harder to stay physically apart since some sections are a bit narrow.

Despite the announcement that all NYC playgrounds will close, Wild Flower Meadow Playground is still open, but with this warning sign posted.

people playing at Wild Flower Meadow Playground

one of the hiking trails

handball court

sign posted at handball court

baseball field

sign posted at the field

On a positive note, cherry blossoms have started blooming

Little Bay Park during Coronavirus

Going for a walk at Little Bay Park by Fort Totten while maintaining social distance

people staying in their cars while watching sunset

people keeping their distance from others

Throgs Neck Bridge

Shinjuku Gyoen (新宿御苑) | Tokyo, Japan

Shinjuku Gyoen (新宿御苑) is one of the largest parks in Tokyo and a popular spot for viewing cherry blossoms, as the large crowds can attest to. I was lucky enough to arrive in Tokyo at the start of the cherry blossom peak and see the blossoms.

The park is close to Shinuku Station, just follow the crowds if it's during sakura season. Entry is 200 yen.