Outdoor recreational spaces make important contributions to social well-being as well as physical and mental health. During a public health emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of these spaces by large numbers of people may also increase the risk of community spread. Public health strategies to minimize disease transmission risk in outdoor spaces have focused on individual actions as well as community-based approaches. Key individual actions include quarantine if one has symptoms of COVID-19, or (for asymptomatic people) staying at least 2 metres (m) away from others, observing hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette (eg, coughing or sneezing into a tissue, mask or elbow). 1 In contrast, community-based approaches to COVID-19 management of outdoor spaces in Canada have involved precautionary closures and limits on activities and access.

However, closure of parks, amenities, and green spaces also restrict opportunities for healthy outdoor activity and stress relief, and may drive individuals to access less suitable and more congested spaces. Thus, the management of outdoor recreational spaces requires a thoughtful analysis to balance the needs of the population against the potential risks of community spread.