Flatten the Covid-19 curve at parks by taking soap and hand sanitizer, maintaining social distance of 6 feet or more, stay home if you're sick.

Updated February 1, 2021

The health and safety of our community, preserve visitors, volunteers and employees are Midpen’s top priority. We are following county health orders as we work to keep trails and preserves open to provide a safe opportunity for people to be in nature for mental, as well as physical, health during this public health emergency. Please continue to follow the guidance of your local county public health department to limit the spread of COVID-19:

Please be understanding, we are all in this together. Be responsible for your own behavior.

We’re grateful these public lands exist and that so many of you support efforts to protect, preserve, maintain and restore our natural and working lands for the benefit and enjoyment of our broader community.

Recent public access updates due to changes in state and county guidelines:

  • Face coverings are required when you can’t stay 6 feet away from persons you don’t live with. Many Midpen trails are narrow — wear a mask, bandanna or gaiter you can pull over your mouth and nose as needed.
  • Where picnic tables are available, visitors must bring sanitizer to clean tables before and after use and pack out all trash. At least six feet social distance must be kept between people not from the same household.

Other changes may be implemented as needed in the future. Please remember to check trail conditions and preserve pages before leaving home.

Safe social distancing is still required, and to make that easier, Midpen has implemented one-way routes on some popular loop trails. Please follow the signs. 

Thank you for doing your part and enjoying your public open space responsibly during the ongoing county stay-at-home orders. We've seen many of you practicing safe social distancing, wearing face masks and welcoming others by sharing the trails. We believe in the healing power of nature and that it is important for us all to be able to get outside to connect with and experience the positive emotional and physical health benefits of being in nature.

Your cooperation to help ensure the safety of our community has made a difference in flattening the curve. It remains important that each of us continue to do our part for the benefit of all.

Mask required outdoors within 6 feet of others, many of our trails are narrow which require a mask when passing others. Stay 6 feet apart. Walk single file. Step aside to allow others to pass. Do not gather.DO YOUR PART

  • Stay home as much as possible and look for nearby nature.
  • Maintain 6 feet away from others not in your household.
  • Avoid crowding: if the lot is full, the trails are full. Do not park on roadsides.
  • No gatherings allowed. Many common areas are closed.
  • Walk single file to allow others to pass safely.
  • Face coverings are required by health officials when you can’t maintain more than 6 feet of social distancing and are recommended at all times when recreating outdoors. Wear a bandanna or gaiter you can pull over your mouth and nose as needed.

ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS

  • Trails at some preserves restricted to one-way traffic to encourage social distancing – keep 6 feet apart from others not in your household.
     
  • Runners slow and yield to other trail users to maintain social distancing.  Pass only when safe to do so while keeping a 6-foot distance.
     
  • Parking is limited. Do not park on roadways. Return home if the lot is full. Restrictions around popular preserves have been posted for Highway 35, Purisima Creek Road and Higgins Canyon Road around Purisima Creek Preserve, Alpine Road around Russian Ridge, and Cristo Rey Drive near Rancho San Antonio.
     
  • Paper maps are no longer available at preserves. Please download a map before leaving home or snap a photo of the signboard map before you hike.
     
  • Many group areas are closed, including Deer Hollow Farm, Daniels Nature Center and picnic areas at Picchetti Ranch.
     
  • All drinking fountains are CLOSED.
     
  • Leave no trace: pack out what you pack in. Most Midpen preserves do not have garbage cans and collection is limited.
     
  • Group activities are suspended, including docent-led hikes and volunteer projects.
     
  • In compliance with county health orders on social distancing most activity permits are currently suspended. Permits are available for permit parking areas, camping and fire reduction work.
     
  • The administrative office at 330 Distel Circle, Los Altos is CLOSED. Staff is available via telephone (650-691-1200) and email (info@openspace.org or individual emails) during regular business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

A letter from the Midpen Board of Directors

Remember, you can always follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and enjoy nature from wherever you are!