While some adjacent communities are further restricting access to their parks, Bellefontaine Parks and Recreation Department superintendent Kris Myers does not expect to make similar moves.
“I think everyone is doing a pretty good job of cooperating with the directives that have been put into place,” said Myers on Monday. “We have not seen significant congregations of people at our parks.”
Bellefontaine’s parks have remained open amid the coronavirus pandemic, but under specific recommendations. The playground areas have been closed and public bathrooms are not available.
“The compliance has been good with the playgrounds,” said Myers. “I can’t say we have not seen anybody on the playgrounds, but for the most part, people have cooperated by staying away from them.”
The goal is for area residents to have access to the parks for exercise while practicing proper social distancing orders.
In Marysville last week, city officials removed the basketball rims at city parks because large groups were using the courts.
“I don’t anticipate having to do that here,” said Myers. “I know some other towns have had to do things like that, but we have not seen an issue with large groups congregating here.”
One of the most popular outdoor recreation areas in Bellefontaine over the last few weeks has been the disc golf course at Rutan Park. There has been a steady flow of players on a daily basis, but not too many to warrant concerns of violating orders handed down by the state government.
“We are following all of the orders of Governor (Mike) Dewine in regards to social distancing and the stay at home order,” said Myers. “I am very comfortable with residents using our disc golf course. I feel it fits well within the governor’s order. It is an environment that is conducive to keeping space between each other. A lot of the people that play are from the same families, too. There is no real concern that someone could be contaminated by playing disc golf.”
Myers continues to encourage community members to use the parks to practice good physical fitness.
“The governor wants us to be active,” said Myers. “He doesn’t want people to stop being physically active. If people stay cooped up inside that can lead to other issues. It’s good to get outside and be active. We just have to be smart about it.”
As for the status of youth baseball and softball leagues, Myers remains in a holding pattern.
“We just have to wait and see what comes down from the national and state levels,” he said. “My intention is to still have baseball and softball this season. I don’t care if we have to start practices June first. We can have a couple of weeks of practices and then put together a season from there.”
Registration for summer baseball and softball in Bellefontaine was originally supposed to end today, but Myers has extended the sign up period.
“People can continue to sign up until we begin play,” he said. “You can also sign up without having to pay yet, in case we do have to cancel. For those who have already paid, we will refund all fees in the event we do have to cancel the season.”
In addition to enforcing the government recreation orders, Myers and his staff have also been diligent about finances during this time of uncertainty.
“We are doing everything we can to keep costs low,” he said. “We are trying to be as frugal as possible.”