It’s gonna be an extra weird Valentine’s Day this year kiddos, especially if you happen to be having a first date on February 14th. If you’re just meeting your Valentine for the first time, you have no way of knowing whether they’re a diligent masker and quarantiner or a serial sneezer and door knob licker. Definitely safest to have your first date outside somewhere that you can be assured of ample social distancing at all times.
To this end, I have compiled a list of secluded outdoor venues perfect for staying far from your date and also far from everyone else who might be carrying the deadly virus. Conveniently, all of these locations are right in The University of Illinois Research Park! Now, as you surely know, Research Park is a “technology hub for corporate research operations and startup companies,” but that doesn’t mean it’s not also a scenic place suitable for a nice first date. For all you folks who need an outdoor location for a socially-distanced Valentine’s rendezvous, I’ve scoured all of Research Park for the best spots.
There are of course many benches scattered around Research Park, any of them could be used for a COVID-safe outdoor meetup. It’s quite unlikely that you’ll be disturbed by actual Research Park employees since most of them are now working from home. I like this herd of benches near the Atkins Building.
Photo by Andrea Black.
It’s pushing your luck a bit for you and your date to sit at the same bench, so here you can each have your very own. However picnic benches are a bit boring, I’ve tried to find some more interesting, and definitely more romantic, spots for this column.
First off, you and your date could meet at the lovely buffalo statue in front of the Forbes Natural History Building.
Photo by Andrea Black.
There’s no real place to sit here, but the buffalo statue is cool and it’s easily eight feet long so you and your date can stand on opposite sides of it and be certain that you’re maintaining safe distance.
Photo by Andrea Black.
Think of the statue as your own Contagion Protection Bison.
Just steps from the buffalo, near 1st Street, is this delightful orb-shaped jungle gym thingy. I was very surprised to find that it also spins and you can get inside it!
Photo by Andrea Black.
Photo by Andrea Black.
Photo by Andrea Black.
Now, I don’t actually recommend that you and your Valentine jump inside the orb together. That would be pretty close quarters. Instead you should each climb up and hang on to opposite sides, then you can have a nice conversation while gently rotating.
I discovered that Research Park has a few basketball hoops set up. This one is in the Yahoo! parking lot. If you’re a sporty type, you could meet your Valentine for some friendly B-ball.
Photo by Andrea Black.
However, to be safe, you should each bring your own ball and not touch each other’s balls and also sanitize each ball after every hoop. Don’t blame me, I’m taking these rules right from the CDC guidelines for romantic 1v1 street basketball.
Also near the Yahoo building is the Bruce Hannon Oak Grove.
Photo by Andrea Black.
It’s a “grove” with some trees and a nice pond you can walk around with your date. (You can also have fun by singing “Bruce Hannon Oak Grove” to the tune of the Beatles’ 1966 hit “Eleanor Rigby” while on your walk.)
Quite near the Bruce Hannon Oak Grove, I found another animal statue friend, an adorable fox of some kind. Wow! Isn’t it amazing being out in nature with your Valentine on a beautiful mid-February day in Illinois!
Photo by Andrea Black.
Anyhow, show your date you’ve got real school spirit by inviting them to these colorful benches in front of this dumpster enclosure.
Photo by Andrea Black.
It’s the perfect place to say “I – L – L and I – LOVE – U.” (I advise you to not ever say this on a first date with anyone.)
Finally, there’s a bunch of rocks along Hazelwood Drive just near the Speech Language Pathology Clinic where you can sit fully distanced from your date and ponder the great mysteries of the world. (Everyone knows that sitting on a rock is more contemplative and philosophical than sitting on a picnic bench.)
Photo by Andrea Black.
Some of the rocks are however a smidge TOO far apart for conversing.
Photo by Andrea Black.
Choose wisely.
Well, whatever your COVID Valentine’s Day looks like, I hope it is as safe and happy as is currently feasible. See you all again soon!