The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Virus battle brews outdoors
Metro Parks outlines new protocols, summer activities for families to enjoy nature together
Guided bike rides and paddling trips are available at different park locations in the county.
With all summer camps canceled in the spring by Lorain County Metro Parks, programming is slowly seeing a return for children and their families.
Mariah Deitz, public information officer with the parks district, said the administration made the decision to cancel the camps because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
“The level of one-on-one interaction that we typically provide to our participants would not be possible this year,” Deitz said.
Concerned about the quality of the camps and safety of participants, youngsters will have to wait until next year to participate.
Upcoming programming
However, Deitz said programming is slowly making a comeback at the Metro Parks, besides recreational visits.
Some events include a second Picnic n’ Play on July 15 at Wellington Reservation, 535 Jones Road in Wellington.
Another event will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., July 29, at Black River Reservation, 2720 E. 31 St. in Lorain, at Day’s Dam picnic area.
An event that allows participants to bird watch while kayaking also is available from 6 to 8 p.m., July 16, at Wellington Reserve for $5.
Guided bike rides and paddling trips are available at different park locations in the county.
Deitz said rentals of kayaks, paddleboards and other water gear remain popular throughout county parks.
The district has taken to virtual events and programming, including a virtual summer race series and Facebook Live virtual yoga series.
Another popular series targeted for children and their families is an activities box, which provides materials for programming and activities, including scavenger hunts and selfguided park tours.
Deitz said supplies and activities range from outdoor crafts to educational material.
A second box program was released for July, doubling the number of boxes from 75 to 150 from the first program.
Within the first of its release, all the boxes were purchased.
“We’ve got great responses,” Deitz said. “It’s easy to do one on one activities that way.”
She said the boxes can be used either at the parks or at home, allowing families to remain in their comfort zones.
“There’s a huge discrepancy of comfort level,” Deitz said.
Park protocol
Deitz said the park is working to promote protocols from the Ohio Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Sanitizing and washing hands, as well as practicing social distancing, are advised at the parks, Deitz said.
“We get questions from the public all the time why we don’t have more hand sanitizing stations at our parks,” she said, adding that industrial strength sanitizer is both difficult to find and expensive.
Revenue was cut for the Metro Parks due to lack of shelter rentals making it difficult to make additional purchases.
While some restrooms are open, running water is not always available and water fountains are not functional due to the pandemic, Deitz said.
She said those using county parks should bring water bottles and their own hand sanitizer.
“We certainly don’t want to be the transfer source of COVID-19,” Deitz said.