SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio — The city of South Euclid announced it will be closing city playgrounds, the dog park and baseball fields for league play on Monday due to the increase in COVID-19 cases.
The city reopened the facilities in June after seeing a significant drop in COVID-19 cases and hospitalization rates. Cuyahoga County Board of Health statistics indicate that since mid-June there has been a dramatic rise in infections and hospital rates, which led the city to make the decision to close the facilities once again.
“The city continues to base decisions on science, data, guidelines, recommendations and orders from Gov. Mike DeWine, the Ohio Department of Health and Cuyahoga County Department of Health. This can be a challenge as circumstances change often and quickly, but it’s clear that in recent weeks, the spread of the coronavirus has risen and continues to be a community health risk in Ohio, Cuyahoga County and South Euclid,” city officials said.
Playgrounds, baseball fields and the dog park join the city’s swimming pool and splash park in closure. The pool and splash park have remained closed throughout the summer due to virus concerns.
“These are not decisions we made lightly given the popularity of South Euclid’s recreation and youth programming, as well as our many popular summer programs and events,” said Mayor Georgine Welo. “But due to the continuation of social-distancing protocols and the need to ensure the health and safety of our residents and employees, the closing of these facilities at this time is in the best interest of the health, safety and welfare of our community.”
