“Take It Outside” Initiative Expands in RI

“Take It Outside” Initiative Expands in RI

The state of Rhode Island’s “Take It Outside” initiative, a statewide effort designed to encourage and increase outdoor activities, is expanding efforts to get people living, working, and recreating more outside.

The effort to expand activities in part due to national health experts’ findings that the transmission rate of COVID-19 is nearly 20 times higher indoors than outdoors.

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Those who work and play outside are encouraged to share photos on social media with the hashtag #CrushCovidRI. Images and videos will be shared across state’s social channels to help raise awareness of the campaign.

To learn more about the initiative, please visit www.takeitoutsideri.com.

“For months, we've had to find innovative ways to resume everyday activities while slowing the spread of COVID-19," said Governor Gina Raimondo. "We know that being outside reduces the risk of transmission of this virus and are asking Rhode Islanders to get creative and Take it Outside whenever possible. I'm grateful for the support of municipal and business leaders in this effort.”

In an interview with GoLocal in July, top New York physician Dr. Alan Roth of Jamaica Hospital -- which was one of the hospitals hardest hit by the first wave of the corronavirus in March and April warns about indoor dining.

“I don't think restaurants could be safe right now...you can't just take your mask off and eat for indoor dining  I can't see someone six feet away from me eating dinner and sneezing and coughing," said Roth. "We know that it will be transmitted through the ventilation systems, and until either the virus is controlled and there's a vaccine...I’m not sure indoor dining will be okay. I'm not sure anywhere you need to take a mask off in close proximity is going to be safe perhaps for years.”

State Land Availability:

The DEM has made spaces available for outdoor recreation and fitness classes as well as for outdoor meetings, workshops, classes, and business functions. DEM is working on a streamlined process to expedite requests to use these select parks, with details on how to make reservations available at: www.riparks.com/takeitoutside. Depending on the desired location, size, and complexity of your planned activity, RI State Parks may charge a reservation fee or impose other requirements.

Additionally, Commerce is exploring how to provide free WiFi for public use at some state park locations. More information will be coming soon.

In Providence, the I-195 Redevelopment District Commission will, over the coming weeks, transform the land by the Pedestrian bridge into an outdoor workspace, equipped with free public furniture and WiFi.

“In order to fight COVID – and in order to keep our economy open -- let's take it outside,” said Rhode Island Commerce Secretary Stefan Pryor. “Rhode Island is blessed with wonderful outdoor locations that can serve as splendid settings for recreation, dining, exercise, office work and more. Please consult the info on our website, support our local businesses – and find new ways to take your meals, meetings, workouts, and work sessions outside.”

 

Municipal Participation:

 

According to Commerce RI, Rhode Island’s cities and towns are increasingly making public spaces available for increased use, and in some instances closed down streets for public engagement. For example:

 

• In East Greenwich, the town will close portions of Main Street weekly each Sunday afternoons beginning on September 7 to provide more outdoor space for businesses and encourage more activity.

 

• Providence has planned extensive opportunities for outdoor space including street closures, streamlined sidewalk and outdoor permits, and other activities. Businesses interested in expanding their outdoor opportunities should visit rethinkpvd.com. Providence has waived the costs associated with establishments applying for expansion of dining on-site. Through Providence Great Streets released in January, the City has also committed to the permanent installation of neighborhood greenways on select streets that will more effectively reduce speeding and improve safety allowing pedestrians to enjoy the outdoors.

 

• Jamestown has closed a parking lot to allow restaurants to allow three restaurants to offer outdoor dining. The town is committed to continuing to explore other options to enable the use of outdoor space.

 

• Central Falls is exploring how to provide additional space for businesses by allowing the use of parking spaces in front of their locations to expand outdoors.

 

• Warren has instituted a “one-stop shop” for expedited permitting for outdoor dining. The Town Council has empowered staff to prioritize small business assistance and has delegated authority to a staff review team including Planning, Building, Police and Fire that in most cases will grant approval within 24 hours.

 

• In Bristol, the town has created a temporary outdoor dining permit application and also encourages health/fitness businesses to work with the local Parks & Recreation Department to hold classes in the town’s various parks.

 

• The Town of West Greenwich is holding their town council, planning board, zoning board, and conservation commission meetings outside. All meetings are outdoor and physically distanced.

 

• In Newport, the Newport Community School will be providing outdoor “pop up” support tents around the City of Newport to offer in-person support (socially distanced and masked) to children and families, including technology assistance or troubleshooting for those students who opted for distance learning, and the provision of basic needs such as food, clothing or hygiene supplies for those who are in need of assistance.  

 

• The Town of Richmond is partnering with a local yoga instructor to offer yoga on the Town Hall lawn every Wednesday morning.

 

• Portsmouth has issued an Executive Order providing a simplified application process to allow all food and drink establishments for expansion of serve to outdoor areas.

 

• Westerly, in partnership with the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce, will be home to many outdoor and physically distanced events.