Staying Active Outside During COVID-19
Resources and Ideas for SPPS Families and Staff
Social distancing and stay-at-home orders do not mean families have to stay inside - going outside is allowed. In fact, getting outside is a great way to keep your family physically and mentally healthy during this stressful time. This document includes ideas for staying active outdoors in St. Paul, along with resources for helping kids stay safe while walking and biking. Also, remember you can simply step outside your door and enjoy your neighborhood by foot, bike or scooter.
Be sure to keep a healthy six feet away from those not in your household, and abd avoid shared equipment like playgrounds and benches. Stay home if you are sick. If a park or trail is too crowded to safely practice this, save that walk or ride for another time, or head to another place. Six feet is about the length of an adult-sized bicycle. See the graphic below from the Minnesota Department of Health to visualize this distance.
According to Governor Tim Walz’s Emergency Executive Order 20-20 Directing Minnesotans to Stay Home, March 25, 2020: “Individuals may engage in outdoor activity (e.g., walking, hiking, running, biking, driving for pleasure, hunting, or fishing) consistent with remaining at least six feet apart from individuals from other households.”
This document was inspired by one created by Minneapolis Public Schools and includes some of the same content. Check it out for some more ideas from our neighboring city.
Walks, Trails and Hikes
Art & History Walks
Nature Walks/Trails
Overlooked Gems
Bike Trails and Routes
Saint Paul offers a wide range of bike route options for families and cycling enthusiasts. Read the ideas below, or click the “bicycling” option in Google Maps to discover a new bike route near you.
Bike Routes for Families
Longer Routes for More Experienced Cyclists
Mountain biking
Helping kids walk and bike safely
This is a great time to help children learn how to walk and bike safely in their neighborhood. See below for resources that can help provide instruction on safe biking and walking.
Safe Walking
Safe Biking
Things Families Can Focus On While Out Walking and Biking
Be a Community Scientist
I Spy-The Saint Paul Version
Things Families Can Focus On While Out Walking and Biking (Continued)
Mindful Walking
Take advantage of the spring weather, and get outside! Remember, staying active is a great tool for keeping yourself and your family physically and mentally healthy, as long as you maintain a six-foot distance from people outside of your household.
This six foot distance is based on current guidance as of March 25, 2020. Be sure to follow the most current guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on keeping yourself, your family, and your community safe from coronavirus. As always, be sure to stay home if you are at all sick.
The creation of this document was supported by the Minnesota Department of Transportation and by the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership through Saint Paul-Ramsey County Public Health and the Minnesota Department of Health.