HOOPS SIDELINED

City cordons off playground basketball courts

Lorain’s city administration is asking young residents to refrain from playing basketball in parks during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Meanwhile, Mayor Jack Bradley said he hopes residents will enjoy the outdoors while remaining a safe distance from each other to slow the spread of COVID-19.

On April 2, the city’s Public Property Department staff cordoned off playground basketball courts using yellow “caution” tape.

Basketball hoops also were covered with plastic and the yellow tape to discourage users who might inadvertently spread COVID-19 while playing.

Workers taped off the courts at Central Park, Oakwood Park and General Johnnie Wilson Elementary School.

They will head out to the smaller city parks April 3.

The goal is not to discourage residents or imply the courts are contaminated.

But, Lorainites all should show each other the example of maintaining at least six feet of physical distance between each other to avoid passing the virus on to others, Bradley said.

“We all have to do our part, and we’re all in this together,” the mayor said.

The move follows the shutdown of city playground equipment to avoid having children come in close contact.

Lorain’s parks remain open to the public.

As a walker in town, Bradley said it appeared Ohio’s stay-at-home order, shutting down schools and many businesses, also has prompted more people to go out for a stroll.

“I have seen more people out walking in the last couple weeks than I have ever seen out before,” he said. “If that’s a result of the stay at home order, at least we have something positive that’s a result of that.

“So, I hope that’s a habit that continues.”

People generally are acknowledging each other while keeping a social distance, although Bradley said he has some people talking while within six feet of each other.

That shorter distance is not advisable during the pandemic, he said.

RICHARD PAYERCHIN — THE MORNING JOURNAL Brent Lloyd, crew leader for Lorain’s Public Property Department paint and sign department, left, and Rick Morris, motor vehicle operator, wrap the basketball hoops at Oakwood Park in South Lorain on April 2.

RICHARD PAYERCHIN — THE MORNING JOURNAL The city of Lorain has closed basketball courts and hoops, along with playgrounds, in hopes of discouraging young people from playing and thus having close personal contact and groups of more than 10 people together, as a way to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Here the sign is posted at Oakwood Park in South Lorain.