Gov. Mike DeWine announced on June 4 that certain entertainment facilities including outdoor playgrounds, ice skating rinks, public recreation centers, aquariums and zoos could reopen on June 10 if they are able to follow health and safety restrictions.
“As I’ve said, Ohioans are able to do two things at once. We can continue to limit the spread of COVID-19 while we safely reopen our economy,” DeWine said. “It is up to each of us to do what we can to keep each other safe and choose to keep six feet of social distance, wear masks and maintain good hand hygiene.”
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Kevin Via, a Springfield resident, took his 6-year-old grandson, Owen Via, to the Snyder Park playground on Wednesday afternoon.
“I’m sure him and every other kid has been wanting to get on the playground,” Kevin said. “I think it’s awesome. We were here as soon as they tore the tape off.”
Owen said the reopening of playgrounds “brings joy to life.”
Castillo said all 13 playgrounds within the NTPRD are open.
When residents visit the playgrounds, children should be under adult supervision and social distancing of six feet should be maintained between people that do not live in the same household, Castillo said.
“Those were the requirements that we were given,” Castillo said. “We also have to make sure that people understand they should wash their hands and make sure they are following the same rules they would follow anywhere that they are in public.”
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She added that Bethie’s Sprayground at Snyder Park will not open this year.
“At this point, we can not maintain social distancing on that,” Castillo said. “We will not be opening that at this time.”
During the three month closure of playgrounds, the NTPRD did their normal maintenance on the play areas.
“We just do what we normally do,” Castillo said. “The CDC has said you are not to use sanitizer because they haven’t proven that it actually works and it’s a giant waste of sanitizer.”
Reopening of playgrounds is important because many families, especially those with younger children, use the play areas as a way to go outside and enjoy themselves, Castillo said.
“The parks and trails are open and we encourage people to use them either with their family or on their own to get outside and be active,” she said.
The NTPRD Chiller Ice Rink will open Monday, June 22.
All programs will be offered following “reduced attendance protocols,” according to the ice rink’s website.
For more information about the NTPRD, visit www.ntprd.org. For more information about the NTPRD Chiller Ice Rink, visit www.ntprdchiller.com.
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