Although restrictions are easing for many Americans who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, the same is not true for children under 12, prompting the Wood County Park District commissioners to engage in dialogue with staff.

At the June 8 meeting, Sandy Wiechman, president of the board, said the staff should continue to follow CDC guidelines.

“If you are not vaccinated, wear a mask. If you are vaccinated but are in situations where you feel more comfortable wearing a mask, wear it,” she said, adding, “But we can’t say ‘wear a mask.’”

CDC guidelines also should be adhered to for children participating in summer park programs. Those under 12 should wear a mask, though she admits studies show young children are at low risk for serious illness.

“It’s still good practice to limit the number of people indoors for programs or tours and to keep sanitizer around for the public to use,” Ms. Wiechman pointed out.

Commissioner Tom Myers agreed, adding, “We have to trust the folks to behave in a proper manner if they are not vaccinated.”

And while the park district cannot enforce the mask protocol, they can enforce the number of people taken on tours of park buildings such as the historic farm and schoolhouse or enrolled in programs. “We are completely free to do that,” he said.

“I have no problem with restricting the numbers,” said Neil Munger, park director.

Mr. Myers added, “I think there will be situations for the next year,” and he expects staff will need to fine tune and accommodate anything that may arise.

Ms. Wiechman also addressed the assignment of park commissioners to various committees. Each commissioner is serving on a committee such as park police, stewardship and programming and facilities and maintenance.

“These committees are designed to complement staff and bring out the best in all and encourage personal and professional growth,” she said. “We want to hear your ideas.”

Each committee assignment requires a two-year commitment, she explained and encouraged staff to reach out at any time with their ideas or suggestions.

“This is where ideas can start and grow,” said Commissioner Bill Cameron.

Mr. Myers believes the committees “are a good idea because there is a lot going on in our parks, and we are expanding slowly, but surely.”

Interpretive Centers

The park commissioners approved work on interpretive displays at W.W. Knight Nature Center in Perrysburg Township and Otsego Park river overlook near Grand Rapids.

2020 Exhibits was awarded both projects at a cost of $22,979 and $7,800 respectively.

Mr. Munger hopes to hold an official opening for the Sawyer interpretive center on July 31. He said the center has not yet been named but would like the park commissioners to consider the Ann B. Sawyer Interpretive Center. “She was instrumental in turning the land over to the park district and gave us a lot of information on the land and its history,” he noted, adding that she donated $4,000 toward the display.

The park director will seek public comment on the issue and bring it to the board for a vote at the July meeting.

After holding an opening ceremony for the Sawyer center, Mr. Munger said the next event will be officially opening the bike park in Rudolph in late summer or early fall.

Other Business

In other business, the park board:

•Renewed annual liability, vehicle and property insurance coverage with the Public Entities Pool of Ohio for $77,220.

•Approved a change order for the drilling of a well at Carter Historic Farm for $450. Able Well Drilling had to extend the depth of the well, necessitating the additional cost, explained Mr. Munger.

•Tabled a waterline easement request by the City of Perrysburg. Legal counsel is still working with the city on the details, the park director said.

•Received the first draft of the 2022 budget. “It is based on our current year and where we are,” Mr. Munger said, adding it also includes input from department supervisors. He is projecting appropriations at $4.17 million next year, but emphasized the budget is only preliminary.

•Discussed the shortage of seasonal staff this summer. “We are not getting any seasonal help. We’ve had zero success in advertising [in any format],” said Mr. Munger.

Jeff Baney, assistant director, added, “We are 200 hours per week short of help, and there are a lot of little things we can’t get done.”

Mr. Munger said in some areas volunteers can be used to help park staff and encourages anyone interested in helping to visit wcparks.org and click on “volunteer.”

•Heard from Mr. Baney regarding a problem with dead fish at the Adam Phillips pond on Gypsy Lane Road behind the Wood County Justice Center complex.

“I received a call from a member of the public who saw a lot of dead fish in the pond,” Mr. Baney said. “I called an expert who believes it is pond turnover.”

Turnover occurs when a sudden cooling causes the top layer of water to cool and sink. The mixing action produces an anoxic environment in which fish are unable to survive due to a severe drop in dissolved oxygen levels.

Mr. Baney believes the late snowstorm in April may have triggered the large-scale problem. He is awaiting lab results on the pond water to confirm the diagnosis.

If it is pond turnover, he recommended a couple of measures, the first of which could be the installation of an aerator in the eight-acre, 18- foot-deep pond. They also could stock grass carp in the pond. “They eat up a lot of anoxic material,” he said.

Mr. Munger said the pond will not be reopened until a solution is devised.

•Announced that “no dumping” signs have been posted at Buttonwood Park in Perrysburg Township. Additionally, a small parking area and a picnic table are there for those fishing the Maumee River.

Mr. Munger plans to have a presentation showing an aerial view of the park and possible ideas for its future at next month’s meeting. The park has been closed to the public since an ice floe severely damaged it several years ago.

•Introduced Chris Dauer, one of the newer park employees, who maintains Carter Historic Farm. “He turned it from being on a farm to being on a working farm,” said Corinne Gordon, historic farm specialist.

The next park board meeting will be at 4 p.m., Tuesday, July 13, at Carter Historic Farm, 18331 Carter Road, Bowling Green, and is open to the public.