Although COVID-19 numbers are on the decline, Wood County—like neighboring counties—remains in red level three with very high exposure and spread, prompting the park district to cancel rentals for March.
At the February 9 meeting, the Wood County Park District commissioners opted to cancel three rental reservations next month and to continue to do so at least until the county drops to an orange level 2 or lower status.
“Until we get to a level two, we shouldn’t reopen rentals,” Commissioner Tom Myers said.
Neil Munger, park director, agreed, “As long as we are at a level three, we should not host rentals based on state guidelines.”
He noted that looking out the following two months, there are seven rentals scheduled in April and 18 in May. “Once we get past that, most weekends book up,” he said.
Park commissioner Denny Parish recommended sending a letter to those who have reserved facilities, notifying them of the potential for cancellations so that it allows renters time to find another location should park rental facilities remain closed.
Commissioner Sandy Wiechman also suggested posting a similar statement on the district’s website, alerting future renters of the possibility of cancellations.
Mr. Parish is optimistic the situation will improve as the year progresses. “We hope everything will be okay by fall, but we just don’t know,” he said.
In a related matter, the board approved a facility rental COVID-19 supplemental agreement for when facilities reopen, which requires renters and guests to comply with certain safety precautions. Those include:
• Practicing social distancing by maintaining a six-foot distance between persons if possible and the extent possible while in the facility, on the porch/deck areas and on the grounds.
• Wearing face coverings except when actively eating or drinking.
• Keeping tables at least six feet apart. Tables and chairs will be prearranged and guests may not move them. Maximum capacity at facilities will be 60.
• Having family members from the same household share a table to the extent possible.
• Agreeing not to use self-service food stations. Food must be served by a person or persons while wearing face coverings and gloves.
• Washing hands often. Renters and guests agree to bring hand sanitizer for use by their group.
• Not allowing anyone with symptoms to enter the facility. Per the Centers for Disease Control, symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, fever chills, muscle pain, sore throat and loss of taste or smell.
• Cleaning high contact surfaces hourly.
• Forbidding anyone who is symptomatic from entering the facilities.
• Prohibiting dance floors and people congregating. Guests are expected to remain seated during the event.
Failure to comply with the guidelines will result in the immediate termination of the event forfeiture of the deposit, and may result in the denial of future rentals.
Other Business
In other business, the park commissioners;
• Approved the purchase of a Dodge Ram 1500 truck for the operations department from Charlie’s Dodge, Maumee for $26,713.
• Entered into an agreement with Morelock Asphalt for repairs to the Slippery Elm Trail at a cost of $36,300. Mr. Munger said the section of the trail south of Gypsy Lane Road Bowling Green was damaged due to tree roots that lifted the pavement. The root problem has been corrected and the park district plans to repave the section in the spring.
• Contracted with Downey PHCE of Tontogany for replacement of the furnace and central air at the William Henry Harrison Park office at a cost of $6,404.
•Learned from Mr. Munger that an easement request from the City of Perrysburg at W.W. Knight Preserve may come before the board in the near future. Perrysburg is planning to tie into a 56-inch water main owned by Toledo, which is on the park district’s Chessie Circle Trail property, he explained.
The next park board meeting will be 4 p.m., Tuesday, March 9, at W.W. Knight Preserve, 29530 White Road, Perrysburg. The meeting is open to the public and COVID-19 protocols will be followed.
—Jane Maiolo