Playgrounds reopen with precautions

The safe reopening of outdoor playgrounds June 10 has required continual sanitation of equipment, which especially remains a priority in the city of Vermilion.

Mayor Jim Forthofer said the city has continued to follow the protocol for sanitization, as recommended by the state of Ohio.

“We’ll do what we can,”

Forthofer said. “Getting sanitization liquid is challenging enough.”

Those protocols to ensure the safety of children and their family includes exercising discretion while visiting playgrounds, which includes regular washing and sanitizing of children’s’ hands when they touch equipment and car doors.

“Just be more vigilant than in the past,” Forthofer said.

With five public playgrounds in parks around the city, outdoor activities will keep youth stimulated while other activities and businesses open slowly, he said.

“It’s one of those things that we just have to be creative,” Forthofer said.

In addition to sanitizing playgrounds, Exchange Park’s comfort station in downtown Vermilion reopened in May after it was temporarily closed for about a month.

The station opens at 8 a.m. daily.

Forthofer said the comfort station has required frequent sanitization and was opened to support retail shops and restaurants in the downtown area in their reopening.

Sanitization products for the comfort station are from Defense Soap, a company that produces materials that combat coronavirus.

Although playgrounds and the station have reopened, there always is a risk of contamination when using public facilities, Forthofer said.