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Covid reopening: Thanks, now I’m a genius!

Now that Massachusetts has made it into phase 3 of the covid reopening, I’m pleased that our new cases are remaining low and that, perhaps in light of what’s happening elsewhere in the country, more folks seem to be wearing masks, outdoors.

Anita Harris with pool noodle for covid social distancing, New Cambridge Observer.
Anita Harris & pool noodle at Henrietta’s cafe, Cambridge, MA.

I’m also pleased that, of late, no one has cursed me out (and vice versa) and that those who do call me names now use positive terms. Yesterday, someone actually called out “genius” and the day before, “creative! ” Sometimes, I hear people chuckling as they pass by.

That’s been true for a few weeks, now–ever since the Christmas Tree Shop reopened and I was able to buy a pool noodle which I sport to maintain social distance of almost six feet when running on Fresh Pond or the Charles.

It wasn’t really my idea (a friend told me he’d seen people doing that in New York’s Central Park) but, hey, I’m willing to take credit if this becomes a Cambridge fashion trend. (And I hope it does).

I’d also like to thank some folks and organizations for helping me through the pandemic—in what has not been an easy time:

Ranger Jean, of Fresh Pond, who listened and commiserated when I told her about the maskless covidiot who called me a motherFxxxr when I told him masks were required; she told me not to interact, that people should feel happy on Fresh Pond.

That’s not Heidi; I’ll replace asap.

Heidi M. of Evolve Fitness of Cambridge and Framingham, whose Zoom Zumba class, smile and joy lifted my spirits on Saturday mornings before the covid reopening.

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Jennifer Miles

Jennifer Miles, whose City of Cambridge online yoga classes continue to provide me with peace, calm and a regular schedule. https://www.facebook.com/huronvillageyoga

Heather Cox Richardson on Facebook

Heather Cox Richardson, whose biweekly lectures on political history have taught me ever-so- much about the situations we are facing today .

-The good-natured helpful people at Trader Joe’s and CVS, and the nice older Star Market checkout clerk (I don’t know his name) who offered that he went to Boston College, not BU; and the Starbucks barista who wished me a good day as I walked out the door with my half -caf .

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-Virginia and Maya (in the photo below)and Sheldon at the newly reopened Henrietta’s Cafe, at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge, whose spirit, joy , encouragement and coffee (!) give me great energy to complete my book-in progress.

Sarah, Henrietta’s, New Cambridge Observer

And Sarah, for taking the photo of me with the pool noodle, and for adding that cinnamon to my coffee!

–Anita Harris

Anita M. Harris is an author, photographer and communications consultant based in Cambridge, MA.

New Cambridge Observer is a publication of the Harris Communications Group, also in Cambridge.




Ranger Jean Posts Fresh Pond “Rules of the Road” Signs

Fresh Pond Rules of the Road, posted after we contacted Ranger Jeanne

 

Two weeks ago, I stopped to thank Ranger Jean Rogers for the information she sent after I emailed her about almost being run off the path at Fresh Pond, in Cambridge–and to mention it that I’d posted it on New Cambridge Observer (September 11).

She told me that several people had similar complaints, and that her office would soon be posting signs suggesting proper “etiquette.” (She also suggested that I call the police if anyone ran roughshod like that, again).

On my run this morning, I was pleased to see that signs outlining etiquette have been posted.

They apply to runners, walkers, bikers and dog people. (Well, to everyone)

  • Keep to the right
  • Pass on the left and make your presence known.
  • Slow down when passing
  • Keep your dog on a leash
  • Be aware of your surroundings . When running with ear buds. check behind you before passing.
  • Kindly move off the path to stop and talk.
  • Slower-moving people stay to the right
  • Use lights when it’s dark.
  • See Fresh Pond Reservation Rules and Regulations for off-leash use.

 

Fresh Pond, Sept 24, 2017

.I want to apologize for occasionally running on the dirt path to the left of the blacktop–but only because, in some areas, the dirt path is very narrow and overrun with bushes or, worse, yet, poison ivy.

I also want to thank Ranger Jean for her help with this.

Anita Harris

Anita M. Harris is a writer, photographer and wunner (she walks and runs?)  in Cambridge, MA.

New Cambridge Observer is a publication of the Harris Communications Group, also of Cambridge.




Fresh Pond’s Ranger Jean on rules of the road

 

Fresh Pond, cambridge

Fresh Pond, Cambridge
Credit: Anita M. Harris

I often run at Fresh Pond. True,  I have a “running” debate with my exercise app, which sometimes  calls what I do “walking”  but be that as it may… I have struck up a number of very cordial relationships, there, with the dogs and their humans.

 

 

 

Ordinarily,  everyone is quite friendly (though I can get a bit ferocious when a human attached to three dogs on leashes blocks the entire width of running path).

 

 

 

But a  few weeks ago,  I ran into a spate of ungracious humans who yelled at me that I was running on the wrong side of the road, gave me the finger (to be honest, I responded in kind)  and one who even tried to force me off the dirt path. I asked Ranger Jean Rodgers if there are right-of-way rules for the Pond. 

 

Here’s her response.

Dear Anita,

Thank you for taking the time to write and share your experiences here at Fresh Pond Reservation.  I’m sorry to hear you are having some less than civil interactions with other users.  Soft running surfaces are in short supply here at Fresh Pond.  No one has a right to them to the exclusion of others. As with all public spaces, sharing and civility are required however frustrating.   If most people keep to the right as they are able, travel on the Perimeter Road would have a level of predictability.  

The behavior of others as you have reported it is unacceptable for any reason.  I will post some signs in our information boards, the ranger station and at entrances excerpted from the street code booklet that help visitors know that sharing and civil interactions are  expected.

The City has just issued “Street Code, Rules and Etiquette for Getting There Together” to address the need for safe and civil behavior when people are moving about the City’s Public Spaces.  Shared Path Etiquette is addressed on page 16. I plan to post it around the Reservation.  http://bit.ly/CambridgeStreetCode  

Here’s a summary and some links to our Shared Use Plan that was developed a while ago with the public to encourage civil interactions and use of Fresh Pond Reservation:

https://www.cambridgema.gov/Water/freshpondreservation/aboutfreshpond/shareduse

Shared Use Plan 

As the terminal reservoir in the water system that provides drinking water to the City of Cambridge, Fresh Pond Reservation serves as in important buffer to protect the health and water quality of Fresh Pond.  The Reservation is also an important open space for Cambridge residents and visitors. Due to limited space on paths, trails, and open areas, as well as increasing popularity due to restoration efforts, occasional conflicts among users can arise. To address these conflicts, the City sought to engage the public in order to develop a shared vision for future use and a clear implementable plan between the Summer 2010 and Spring 2011. The result of this process was the Shared Use Plan with the intent to accomplish the following objectives (in no particular order):
*Protect the flora, fauna, and overall ecosystem and water supply, 
*Promote a welcoming and safe place, 
*Provide for a multitude of recreational activities, 
*Promote mutual respect and civility among users, 
*Improve communication among users and with those managing the Reservation, 
*Provide for additional education and opportunities to participate in stewardship, 
*Enhance user safety and enforcement through rules that are easy to understand, posted, and enforceable, 
*Provide for enjoyment by current and future generations. 

 

Please feel free to put the ranger phone number (617 349-xxxx) in your phone contact list and call me to come out and assist if you if people don’t settle down and share the space with you.   I do my best to answer the phone whether I’m on or off duty.   If someone threatens you or puts a hand on you, call the police for immediate assistance (911 or at their business number 617 349-3300).

We all matter and we all make a difference.

Jean Rogers
Chief Ranger
Fresh Pond Reservation

Anita Harris is a writer and communications consultant based in Cambridge, MA.
New Cambridge Observer is a publication of the Harris Communications Group, also in Cambridge.