We must create and protect “tech-free” zones in our spaces and cities. What better place to start than our ravine networks?
Today I went for a run in a local ravine (which we are so lucky to have in this city). The ravine is magical. It has a descending path through the woods that ends
at a small conservation “lake”. Its not really a lake, more a pond, but I have grown to call it the “lake”, as I have seen such an abundance of wild-life at this spot, just 10 minutes from my house. I see herons, ducks, ducklings, loons, geese, beavers, hedgehogs, turtles, eagles, bunnies, snakes and tons of monarch butterflies.
There is a small rocky area before you hit the “lake” that is now littered with little rock people. When I bring my sons down there, we stop to make some “rock people” and do not leave before we name them.
I give you this description so you can get a sense of what it feels like down there. The ravine is in the city, but it doesn’t feel that way.
To me, and many others, that use this ravine network, or other ravine networks that we are so lucky to have, the spaces act a short “retreat” from city life, our day, and the demands of life.
A walk in the “forest” by the “lake” resets me. It’s the place where I, and so many others, get our “mojo” back. Let’s protect it.
One thing we can do to protect these spaces is make our ravine networks “cell-phone free”.
Today, when I was down at the lake, looking at the view and sitting on the lookout landing, a woman pulled out her cell phone and for 30 minutes called what felt like her entire address book to complain about her mother in law. Did she consider that others were down there for some “quiet”, nature time? Likely not as it is so normal to always have our cell phones out wherever we go.
I think we should consider thinking twice before pulling out our phones in public recreation areas – like our ravine networks.
All day we are infiltrated with messages, beeps, images, technology, sounds and media (through our phones, advertisements, TV, billboards, computers).
Should we not consider carving out and protecting some public tech-free zones?