UPDATED Ohio's state parks may not be out of the coronavirus closure woods yet

Ohio’s state parks hiking trails and possibly its boat ramps may not be open much longer.

In a lead-up inquiry and question posed today (Monday, March 29) by a reporter at the daily press conference by Ohio’s governor, Mike DeWine, was a response that could send chills down the spines of hikers as well as boaters.

The reporter noted that though the state is encouraging people to visit and use state park facilities, often this is accompanied by groups that are threatening the fabric of DeWine’s order to observe the edict’s six-foot “social distancing” segment.

DeWine says he is aware of this problem, both regarding the Ohio State Parks system as well as county metro parks.

“Frankly, our state parks are pretty big,” DeWine said, noting how local law enforcement officials have told him people continue to congregate in large numbers within parks.

So concerned is DeWine about this lack of self-distancing observance at parks and related facilities, that he says the current order allowing parks to remain open is under “review.”

“The only way we can slow this down is if people separate,” DeWine said.

Still, DeWine says, the public might see new orders “within the next several days.”

“Ultimately what we’ll do will be determined by each individual in Ohio and how well they stay away from others,” DeWine said.

Thus, DeWine says, the process – including orders - “is a work in progress.”

The issue for boaters is taking on increased significance. That is because Lake Erie’s walleye fishing is ramping up as anglers flock to various public boat launches. Many of these ramp facilities are operated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Parks and Watercraft.

More than a few of these anglers have been observed coming from several Midwest states other than Ohio.

Meanwhile, steelhead anglers from states such as New York, Pennsylvania, and Michigan have taken to various Notheast Ohio stream in search of migrating/spawning steelhead.

These anglers are using sites operated by county parks systems. Among these parks systems are Cleveland Metroparks, Lake Metroparks, and the Ashtabula Metro Parks as well as a few sites owned and operated by the Ohio Division of Wildlife.

Of equal concern is that it would prove virtually impossible for out-of-state anglers to observe the 14-day self-quarantine restrictions either required or asked by the various states and the federal government.

For its part the Natural Resources Department is silent on what may or may not happen with any future expansive closure order by Governor DeWine.

Instead, the agency pointed to its recent closer of the boardwalk at Maumee Bay State Park and the Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, both in northwest Ohio, noting the handling was addressed “quickly.”

“We have our staff in the field monitoring the situation closely, with the understanding that safety is our top priority,” said Sarah Wickham the Department’s chief of the Office of Communication.

"Ultimately," Wickham said also, “people need to use their common sense when they make a choice to visit one of our properties.”

“We understand that people are excited to get out, but if a parking lot is full, they should go somewhere else. If a trail is too crowded, they should make the responsible decision and leave,” Wickham said.

Yet Wickham said also that while “our beautiful outdoor spaces will still be there” she added that “we will be so glad to welcome everyone back, when the order is lifted.”

The question still remaining is, of course, which order?

- Jeffrey L. Frischkorn
JFrischk@Ameritech.net
JFrischk4@gmail.com