By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The Wood County parks are busy with people and buzzing with mosquitoes. The former was great news. The latter was just par for living in the Great Black Swamp.
Though Wood County Park District buildings and playgrounds are still closed due to the coronavirus – the park board heard again on Tuesday that business is booming.
“The parks have been packed and they look phenomenal,” said board President Tom Myers. “I still appreciate how they are available to us – when there’s not a heck of a lot to do.”
The parking lot at Sawyer Quarry Nature Preserve is maxed out almost every day, and the interpretive center hasn’t even opened there yet, said Neil Munger, director of the park district.
And even the less used parks, like the Bradner Preserve, are seeing a lot more traffic, Munger said.
As for mosquitoes – well the park district doesn’t mess with Mother Nature. New park district board member Kim Rose asked if the park district sprays the annoying insect – but Munger said no.
“It is quite ineffective,” Munger said. “And not only does it kill mosquitoes, but a lot of things we don’t want to kill. We’re in the natural resources business.”
Though people are taking advantage of the great outdoors during the pandemic, they are still unable to rent park facilities like shelter houses. The majority of the park district’s bills for the month were cancellation of rental contracts.
During a phone call with the Ohio Park and Recreation Association on Tuesday, Munger said park officials were informed that “none of you are going to like” the standards that will soon be announced for park facilities.
It’s possible that shelter house use will be limited to 10 or fewer people, Munger said.
That will likely cut into the park district’s shelter rental income, which averages $105,000 in a normal year.
“That’s a big hit we’re taking right there,” Munger said.
The state has given few guidelines yet for the opening of park playgrounds. It has been suggested that playgrounds may have to be wiped down daily, and post signs saying “Play at your own risk.”
“Kids aren’t going to read that,” Munger said.
But Munger assured, when the regulations are released, the swings and slides will be open.
“As soon as we can, we will get playgrounds open again,” he said.
While museums are allowed to open on Wednesday, the park district’s nature centers have to wait, he added.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the park board learned that the low bid of $48,352 was received from a company named 2020 Exhibits, to work on the displays at the Sawyer Interpretive Center.
“I’m excited to get you in it to see it,” Munger said to the board.
The board also approved a change order to the proposed bike park in Rudolph due to drainage issues. The plan to handle the storm drainage is $38,547, but an additional $12,000 is being added for contingencies since the bike park will be located on old railroad property.
