The City of Knox will reopen more park facilities next week. Mayor Dennis Estok told the city council Tuesday that the Wythogan Park splash pad will open Monday.
“But there is social distancing,” Estok added. “There is a limit of the kids on the pad: 25 at a time. It is going to be up to the parents to monitor that because, if we have to monitor it, then it’s probably going to close back down. We don’t have the personnel to sit there and watch. So there’ll be signage up. Also, the hours are going to change. We’re going to start out from noon to 6:00 p.m., six hours and that’s all it’s going to be open.” Hours may increase July 4.
Meanwhile, Estok said the park shelters will open June 14, but city officials are still trying to figure out how to appropriately space the picnic tables. Those using the shelters will be encouraged to bring their own hand sanitizer.
The city also plans to hold its first movie in the park of the year on June 24. “We’ll see how it goes,” Estok said. “If we have people show up, then we’ll continue to have maybe another one or two in the summer. If nobody shows up, then that’ll be the first and the last.”
Playmobil: The Movie is set to be shown at the Wythogan Park performance stage. Estok added that parents will have to help enforce social distancing. “I know it’s going to be hard for kids not to go up to their friends because they miss them, so it’s going to be very hard not to do that. But the parents are going to have to be responsible,” Estok noted.
The city is still looking for a sponsor for the first movie in the park. Those interested can call the Mayor’s Office at 574-772-4553.
