Park district reopening its facilities

Geauga Park District has reopened its facilities with efforts in place to continue limiting the spread of COVID-19.

Guests are again welcome to patronize The West Woods Nature Center and Big Creek Park’s Meyer Center during their normal hours of 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, with the Meyer Center closed on weekends, according to a news release. Exhibit rooms and play areas remain closed, however, access to wildlife feeding station viewing areas, art exhibits, restrooms and information areas still make for meaningful visits to both these buildings and their parks.

The wearing of face coverings is strongly recommended.

Campgrounds within five of Geauga Park District’s parks have reopened, too, for families and individuals to reserve online or by phone. Reservations are also being accepted for shelters and lodges, but only by phone to ensure compliance with the state’s extended gathering limit of 10 or less through July 1.

With a good number of in-person public programs resuming in June, naturalists are excited to share their enthusiasm for nature again while observing a set of policies, guidelines and procedures published in full at www. geaugaparkdistrict.org/coronavirusyour-parks. These include social distancing, group sizes limited to 10, required face coverings for staff and volunteers, and recommended face coverings for participants.

A number of virtual programs are also on their schedule; to view them, visit the website under Programs & Events, then filter by program type “Virtual.”

Eager to get onto the water at Headwaters Park? First-come-first-served boat borrowing has resumed for the season on Fridays from 1 to 8 p.m., with the last boats going out at 7 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last boats going out at 4 p.m. There is no charge for Geauga County residents.

For more on Geauga Park District offerings, call 440-286-9516 or go online at www.geaugaparkdistrict.org.