Human parking spots, plexiglass cubes, and bumper tables are some of the ways outdoor recreation could potentially change to become social distancing-friendly
Taylor Nicole Rogers  Â
New Yorkers in social distancing circles in Domino Park in Brooklyn, New York.(Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)
- Authorities and architects have come up with innovative ways for people to enjoy the outdoors while social distancing this summer.
- New York's Domino Park painted circles on the lawn to separate sunbathers, while architects in Vienna proposed building a maze of hedges to create walking paths in the Austrian capital.
- Although the risk of contracting the novel coronavirus is lower outdoors than indoors, authorities still recommend that people avoid gathering to slow the virus' spread.
A mix of "quarantine fatigue" and restlessness from months indoors and rising temperatures have made it difficult to keep people from gathering outside. Domino Park in Brooklyn, New York was no exception.
New Yorkers at Domino Park on Saturday, April 25, 2020, before the human parking spots were created.
Ben Goggin/Insider Inc.
Source: Business Insider
The park eventually painted "social distancing circles" on its turf in May to keep groups of people away from each other.
People practice social distancing in Domino Park in Williamsburg during the coronavirus pandemic on May 17, 2020, in New York City.
(Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)
Source: Business Insider
The circles act like human parking spots, allowing people to enjoy the sunshine and the park's view of the Manhattan skyline while remaining in their allotted circle and away from other groups.
A member of the NYPD monitors New Yorkers social distancing in Domino Park.
REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo
Police officers roamed the park to enforce social distancing guidelines and pass out masks.
A police officer patroling Domino Park.
(Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
Source: Business Insider
This park visitor brought their own goggle, gloves, and a gas mask.
A New York dons protective gear in Domino Park.
(Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images)
Architects in Austria are considering taking a more hands-on approach to separate park goers, using three-foot-wide hedges.
A rendering of the hedges inside a park designed for social distancing in Vienna.
Courtesy Precht
Source: Business Insider
Vienna-based architecture studio Precht proposed making a maze out of the hedges arranged in a way that families could walk through one at a time. Each path would take about 20 minutes to walk.
Multiple families could walk through Parc de la Distance at the same time without ever coming into contact with one another.
Courtesy Precht
Source: Business Insider
A gate at the entrance to each path will indicate if it is occupied or not.
A rendering of the hedges.
Courtesy Precht
Source: Business Insider
Renderings show that the park, which would be called "Parc de la Distance," would be shaped like a fingerprint. Although there are currently no plans to start construction, the designers have chosen an empty lot in Vienna.
A rendering shows what an aerial view of Parc de la Distance could look like.
Courtesy Precht
Source: Business Insider
Italian designer Umberto Menasci thinks plexiglass boxes might be the answer to preventing crowding on beaches. These boxes on the sand would allow families to soak up the sun without spreading germs.
Each group would have its own plexiglass cube in the sand.
Umberto Menasci
Source: Business Insider
In Menasci's concept, called "Safe Beach," resorts would take reservations for their plexiglass cubes to prevent crowding at its socially-distanced beach area.
"Safe Beach" is comprised of an open-air reception area, glass beach cubes, and swimming buoys.
Umberto Menasci
Source: Business Insider
The cubes have an open-air top to allow for a breeze and a special door for employees of Safe Beach's restaurant to drop off food orders.
A rendering of Umberto Menasci's "Safe Beach" shows beachgoers lounging in a plexiglass cube.
Umberto Menasci
Source: Business Insider
The design includes buoys that remind people how far to stay away from one another while swimming.
A rendering of Safe Beach's swimming area.
Umberto Menasci
Source: Business Insider
Designed by Baltimore-based Revolution Events, the tables are a way to customers to enjoys cold beers and ocean breezes together, all while staying safe and providing a glimpse of what outdoor socializing could look like during the coronavirus pandemic.
The creative tables earned Fish Tales praise from other small business owners.
odysseawatersports/Instagram
Source: USA Today
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