Picnicking in the Arboretum is a great way to safely maintain some semblance of a normal college life during a pandemic
The pandemic has led people to get creative with social gatherings while following social distancing guidelines. Here in Davis, gorgeous natural sceneries are favorite places to safely gather, as picnicking at the Arboretum won best masked/socially distanced activity with 62.5% of the vote.
The extensive views of towering redwoods, glistening water and various wildlife make the Arboretum a perfect spot to relax after class and catch up with friends: grab some food, friends, paint and musical instruments and take some time to unwind.
“The Arboretum was definitely one of the best places to still enjoy college life while being safe,” said Delaney Gash, a first-year genetics and genomics major.
This year has brought a lot of changes to the daily lives of UC Davis students but the Arboretum offered consistency by staying open through the pandemic while following social distancing protocols.
“Although it wasn’t entirely normal, it was amazing to see fellow Aggies enjoying nature,” Gash said.
A hundred acres with 22,000 species of trees and plants make up this perfect picnic spot. Along the way, you may also be visited by a family of ducks, squirrels or even turkeys.
“There’s a ton of animals you can see and lots of nature to enjoy,” said Conner Barton, a first-year genetics and genomics major. “There’s enough space to spread out with people and it’s also just really nice to go by yourself.”
The open spaces provide opportunities for a variety of activities.
“You can take a walk, picnic, bike ride or skate there too, so it’s just an all around good place to hang out,” Barton said.
With the warm weather approaching, consider a picnic at the Arboretum as your next socially distanced gathering.
Written by: Emily Redman — features@theaggie.org
