CINCINNATI (WKRC) – Playgrounds in Ohio can reopen, but some are holding off.
It would not be a summer without playgrounds. Tony Bulthuis and his son have patiently waited for this moment.
“He's a little handful. He's only 4 years old so he likes to bounce off the walls. It's nice having a playground right now just so he can run outside,” he said.
At Good Neighbors Park in Fairfield, new signs are up encouraging families to “Be smart, stay apart.”
Tiphanie Howard, the city’s parks and recreation director, said it is following CDC guidelines. Ohio has not given specific instructions for reopening.
“You won't see our staff out here disinfecting. It's not what the CDC actually recommends, which is interesting, but you'll see our staff out here regularly cleaning and taking care of trash,” she said.
The CDC said spraying disinfectant on outdoor playgrounds is not an efficient use of supplies.
Todd Palmeter said playgrounds at the Great Parks of Hamilton County are still closed. It needs more time to get safety precautions in order.
“We will have 10 playgrounds at nine parks open by Saturday morning at 9 o'clock,” said Palmeter.
The parks have partnered with Hamilton County Public Health to work out a set of its own guidelines.
“The staff will come out in the morning before 9 o'clock. The post signage that we need to temporarily close for sanitation. We use an EPA-approved sanitation and will have sprayers and will spray the high contact areas,” he said.
Park officials encourage adults to make sure kids wash their hands before and after playing.
Find out which Great Parks of Hamilton County are opening this weekend on its social media or website.
