The Darke Co. Park District Board of Commissioners will hold a regular board meeting on Thurs., June 18 at 4pm at Shawnee Prairie Nature Center.
Attendance will be limited to 25 people at a time. Face masks are required. To be added to the agenda to speak or to make comments please email info@darkecountyparks.org before June 18 at noon.
The continued impact of COVID-19 forces us all to be in a state of fluid decision-making. The Darke County Park District is thinking of you all during this difficult time and we hope you are able to utilize some of the Preserves and Trails near you to ease some stress. The Staff and Board are monitoring the situation in an effort to keep the trails open and safe for all users during this vitally important time.
Beginning June 1, in compliance with Governor DeWine's Responsible RestartOhio requirements and recommended best interests, the Nature Education Center will begin to open to the public with some limitations. The Park District staff will be implementing and following the below protocols as put forth by the Governor:
Visitor’s must not enter if they are experiencing ANY symptoms of COVID-19
Nature Center Hours will be temporarily Mon-Fri 10a-4p
A minimum of 6’ between people will be maintained at all times (family units are exempt within the unit, but must enforce between other visitors)
All staff and volunteers will be wearing facial coverings and it is strongly requested of any visitors (over the age of 2) to do so as well while within the building.
Hand sanitizing will be available upon entry to the building
The building will have a one-way flow that visitors will be asked to follow
The gift shop will not be open for browsing, but purchases can be made. (staff/volunteers will retrieve the item from the shop and bring to you at the front window.
Restrooms will be open, but if at all possible, it is requested that 6’ distance be maintained.
During high volume times, visitors may be asked to stagger entrance.
Currently, all programs, events and room-rental requests have been cancelled during this time. The shelter house and picnic tables at Shawnee Prairie are now OPEN on a first come first served with a strict rule of 6’ distancing be maintained. Monthly club/organization meetings that are already scheduled have been contacted with special rules.
The trails and preserves remain OPEN, it is vital that everyone practices "physical distancing" at all times while in the preserves and/or trails. Please provide other users at least 6 feet space between parties, be sure to alert others of your approach and make room for all.
Staff is now working on-site throughout the workweek, so if you have questions, concerns of other needs, give us a call. If you notice any concern, be it a trail blockage or over-crowding, please contact us via email or phone (937-548-0165) and we will get back with you ASAP.
Throughout this all, we hope to continue to be a place for you to connect to the natural world, relax, exercise and enjoy the summer’s sun. By working together, we will get through this. Stay safe and we'll see you on the trails (from 6' away)!
