DAYTON — Most parks and trails around the Miami Valley stayed open during the COVID-19 pandemic, but some of the facilities in the parks were off limits.
At Five Rivers MetroParks, nearly everything but the trails were closed and for some people, like Tara Brown, that wasn’t an issue.
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“Even with all the COVID-19, I need to get out and connect with nature,” Brown said.
However for Jasmine McMahon, not having access to bathrooms caused some issues.
“When kids have to go, they have to go,” she said.
Starting June 8, nearly every Five Rivers MetroPark will have one open restroom.
Wegerzyn Gardens and Aullwood Garden MetroPark restrooms remain closed.
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Bike, kayak and other rentals are suspended for the season because there’s no way to disinfect rentals after each use.
“It’s rough on our kids cause they’re not getting outside time,” McMahon said.
Five Rivers MetroParks have also placed garbage cans in high traffic areas, but anyone in the park still needs to practice social distancing and only groups of less than 10 people are allowed.
Rentals are suspended through Sept. 30, according to the MetroParks website, but that could change depending on regulations released by the state house.
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