BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Monday is the "un-official start to summer," but with a pandemic in place, it's a little more challenging to enjoy the warm weather. Western New Yorkers 7 Eyewitness caught up with at Canalside, Delaware Park, and the Erie Canal still found ways to have fun in the sun.
There are limits on how people can enjoy. This includes gatherings of 10 or fewer, and social distancing. Health experts advise people to wear masks when they can’t practice safe social distancing - even if you’re outside.
Many at Delaware park found an empty spot of grass, or a shady tree at least six feet away from another group.
Dan Mayers, who was playing tennis at Delaware Park, said he was doing what he would on a typical memorial day, but with his roommate instead of a larger group of friends perhaps.
“Play some tennis today, go back home, do some grilling, nothing too crazy, but definitely trying to be outside for the nice weather," Mayers said.
While tennis courts are open once again, basketball courts remain closed. That allowed Lisa Tardi and her family to have a new space for workouts.
“Enjoying a little bit of weather with the family, working out, a little bit of bike riding," Tardi said. "A little bit of exercise, this is what we’re doing instead of being indoors.”
Tom Swacha was kayaking at the Erie Canal. He said he wishes more places were open, but above all is happy to finally be outside.
“It’s been inconvenient at times, but you know you got to make the best of it," he said. "Just try to get outside as much as you can because you know it’ll snow sometime soon.
Plenty went to the beach beat the heat and stay a safe distance.
Woodlawn Beach State Park is open daily from dawn to dusk. Lifeguards will be on duty with swimming allowed from 10am-6pm on weekends only until June 20. After June 20 swimming will be available daily through Labor Day.
One place Western New Yorkers could not go to on Memorial Day was campgrounds. Over the weekend, Governor Andrew Cuomo said state campgrounds were allowed to reopen, but many in the Western New York area remained closed on Monday. The New York State Parks Department tells 7 Eyewitness News they're finalizing plans to reopen state park campgrounds safely, and will have more details soon.
