After a year of being cooped up to prevent the spread of COVID-19, families and friends will soon be gathering for graduation parties and reunions. And the Wood County Park District plans to open up their shelter houses for those and other festivities.
The park district board voted Tuesday to open the district’s shelter houses in William Henry Harrison Park, the Bradner Preserve, and Cedar Creeks Preserve.
The shelter houses will be opened for half their normal occupancy, with tables spread out, and a limit of four people per table.
Masks will be required inside the shelters, except when people are eating.
The park board members supported the recommendation by park district Director Neil Munger.
“This will bring us closer to some kind of normal,” said board member Tom Myers. “I think people will appreciate it.”
Board President Sandy Wiechman added that the district just needs to follow Gov. Mike DeWine’s orders.
“I think we need to open them and get these parks going,” she said.
Board member Denny Parish agreed.
“I agree completely. At some point, we have to open up,” he said.
And board member Bill Cameron added his support.
“I’m good with it as presented.”
Parish added that the park police “are not going to be the mask police,” but they will be asked to make sure shelter house users don’t exceed the numbers set by the board.
