The stay-at-home order invoked by the state to prevent the spread of coronavirus hasn’t stopped some folks near Rancho Cucamonga from getting fresh air.

On Wednesday, March 25, the parking lot of the North Etiwanda Preserve was near capacity at around 1:30 p.m. A sign said the park was open from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Many people were hiking and walking the trails in an effort to stretch their legs and get some exercise.

The park, at 4890 Etiwanda Ave., is operated by San Bernardino County. Meanwhile, the city of Rancho Cucamonga has not closed its parks, unlike some other nearby cities, such as Claremont.

Central Park, which has a loop that links to the Pacific Electric Trail, is another park getting a lot of use during the stay-at-home order and while children are home from school, said Jennifer Camacho-Curtis, the city’s spokesperson.

She said people must “self regulate” their behavior and not walk too close to other individuals while practicing social distancing that public health officials say will help slow the spread of the virus, which has sickened hundreds in Southern California in recent weeks.

“If you need to go out, whether to a grocery store or wherever, you have to be vigilant about creating that physical space between each other,” said Camacho-Curtis.

In response to “Why hasn’t the city closed any parks?” on the FAQ section of its website, the city answered:

“The San Bernardino County Department of Public Health is the lead authority for all public health emergencies in our City. The Department of Public Health encourages people to go outside and get exercise while practicing social distancing and avoid playground structures as they are high-touch areas.”

This story has been updated to clarify the location of the Etiwanda Preserve.