The
closure of Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Parks and
Watercraft’s campgrounds, cabins, golf courses, restrooms, shower
houses, playgrounds, and state park marinas leaves in question the
health and safety of visitors to what does remain open.
The
temporary
terminations came
following Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s Stay At Home Order, which
kicked into gear the cessation of activities.
And
what is closed by the Division of Parks is considerable, too.
Data
provided by the National Resources Department’s Office of
Communications
says the number
of state parks with campgrounds totals
60,
including
those the agency operates on its own, by a concessionaire, or where
camping fees are not charged.
The
state likewise
has
18 state
parks with cabins, with
as few as one cabin
in
a couple of cases.
Along
with the cabins, the agency has several locations
with overnight shelters, the
Natural Resources Department says.
As
for the number
of state parks with golf courses that
figure is five,
with
the one at Shawnee
State
Park having been permanently closed last year, the
Natural Resources Department says.
Among
those unshuttered venues range from the agency’s boat ramps to dog
parks to hiking trails.
Yet
it is these
places – and which the DeWine Administration encourages people to
visit as emotional control valves and for exercise – that have
some people concerned. And that anxiousness
swirls around two areas: Safety and health.
On
the first score the Natural Resources Department offers reassurances
the still-opened venues are fine.
“Natural
Resource officers continue to patrol our state parks as they always
have. We have not instituted any furloughs, although we are asking
staff to work remotely if at all possible for their protection and
the protection of visitors,” said Sarah Wickham, chief of the
Department’s Communications Office.
“We
remain committed to the protection of state property and safety of
our hikers and boaters.”
But
not everyone agrees. Not even those who work for the Natural
Resources Department. They note how the
Parks Division’s
staff repeatedly has
endured cuts, and that the lack of
now-furloughed
maintenance workers could
encourage illegal activity or injurious behavior.
“They
(the parks) are dangerous,” said one Natural Resources employee who
asked not to be identified and who emphasized the word “are.”
This
source also questioned the Department’s statement as to how the
parks are being patrolled, at least to the level they were prior to
DeWine’s Stay At Home order.
Other
current and former Natural Resources personnel agree, noting should a
person run into trouble at a park – particularly a remote one –
getting assistance when a single ranger is sitting in an office could
prove problematic.
“That
person could be in really serious trouble, especially where cell
phone coverage is difficult. It’s just another element that most
people haven’t likely thought about,” the second source said.
Regarding
the health of visitors at what sites do remain open, that question is
no less vital. It is one the Natural Resources Department even admits
to, though likely without realizing it.
“Because
we have closed lodges, cabins, campgrounds, restrooms, marina
buildings and other enclosed facilities to prevent the spread of
COVID 19, we have less need for staff on site,” Wickham said.
Thus,
with comfort stations closed and the lack of staff to look after the
parks system’s still-open physical assets, visitors looking to
relieve themselves must find alternatives quickly.
In
this respect, Wickham said “Visitors
should plan their trips accordingly.”
“We
are putting up as much signage as possible, but it’s important that
visitors use common sense to protect themselves,” Wickham said.
And
the
state parks’ restroom closure does also
mirror
what some county park districts are also doing – such as the Geauga
Park District. Still other county park districts – such as Lake
Metroparks – are keeping their restrooms available for the public.
At least for now.
Also, while the Natural Resources Department’s 15
unsupervised dog parks are not being maintained, someone has to clear
the collection of disposed dog-waste bags and pick up what pet owners
did not address.
Consequently,
unmaintained recreation areas and those
locations with shuttered restrooms may
become breeding
grounds for other forms of communicable
diseases,
critics allege.
“I
would hate to be the one cleaning the restrooms but if one were
available and I’d have to go, I’d go,” said the second source.
“Otherwise I’d have to find a bush in
the park.”
By
Jeffrey L. Frischkorn
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