After thorough study and analysis, the City has determined that the Thornton Park pool will remain closed this summer. In making this decision, the City reviewed, in detail, information from the CDC and the Ohio Department of Health (ODOH) guidelines for the operation of public pools, consulted with Parks and Recreations experts and neighboring municipalities, analyzed costs, assessed staffing needs, evaluated our capacity to meet stringent health and safety protocols, and considered resident input.
We know this decision will disappoint many residents. We spent countless hours analyzing and exploring a variety of options for opening the pool within the ODOH guidelines and CDC pronouncements. However, in the final analysis, we determined that the risks to health and safety of residents and staff due to the COVID-19 pandemic remained unacceptably high and the operation of the pool in this environment did not meet the other criteria we established when we undertook this review.
We understand the need to provide summer recreation programming. Staff will continue to explore alternate outdoor recreation programs that we can offer with full confidence that we can maintain social distancing, group size, and other health and safety protocols. Details will be provided as soon as possible. Please check the website for regularly updated recreation information.
Per the Governor’s order currently in effect, the ice rink and athletic fields remain closed. We continue to await additional recommendations and guidelines from the Governor and ODOH and will re-evaluate the operation of the ice rink and fields as soon as possible thereafter.
View the latest Shaker Recreation Summer Programming Update (PDF).