Several area attractions announce plans for reopening

        The National Museum of the Great Lakes reopened its doors to members and visitors June 10 after Gov. Mike DeWine’s June 4 announcement stating museums and other entertainment facilities could reopen with certain health and safety restrictions in place.
        “We have been preparing for our re-opening for some time,” says the museum’s Executive Director Chris Gillcrist. “We take the health and well-being of every visitor and staff member seriously and, since shutting our doors, have been preparing to reopen and provide the very best museum experience possible with health and safety front and center.”
        NMGL is adhering to the recommendations of the Governor’s task force, which includes actions such as:
        • Timed entry tickets pre-purchased online at nmgl.org to reduce crowding;
        • Opening one hour early (at 9 a.m.) on Wednesdays for vulnerable populations, starting June 17;
        • Expansive use of signage to encourage social distancing among guests;
        • Aggressive staff cleaning schedules prioritizing museum and boat sanitization;
        • Installation of personal sanitizing stations;
        • Temporary closure of a few interactive exhibits unable to meet sanitizing requirements;
        • Required face coverings and daily health screening assessments for all museum staff;
        • Simplified check-out procedures to reduce personal interaction.
        The museum plans to remain flexible and adaptive as new rules, regulations and suggested precautions are announced, Gillcrist said.
        For individuals unable to visit, the museum will continue to offer virtual opportunities via their History From Home initiative at nmgl.org/virtual-content.
        For more information NMGL health and safety procedures, visit the FAQ page at nmgl.org.
 
Toledo Zoo
        The Toledo Zoo will reopen to members only June 12-30. During this first phase of reopening, 2,500 guests will be permitted at any time.
        Reserved tickets will be required and may be obtained online at www.toledozoo.org/tickets.
        For the safety of staff, guests and Zoo animals, all visitors over the age of 2 will be required to wear a mask when entering Zoo buildings or interacting with staff. Employees will be wearing face coverings, with the exception of those working in specific areas where masks are against the best practices.
        Additionally:
        • The ProMedica Museum of Natural History and Aquarium will be open with limited traffic. All other animal
 viewing is outdoor observation only.
        • Six feet of separation will be required in seating areas.
        • Two-way and one-way traffic patterns have been implemented to encourage social distancing.
        • The pedestrian bridge will be open with two lanes marked.
        • Line spacing will be marked at 6-foot intervals.
        • All visitors must park and enter through Anthony Wayne Trail. Guests are encouraged to park in every other spot to maintain social distancing.
        • Check-in for all guests will take place at parking lot booths.
        • A limited number of outdoor concession stands will be open. No outside food or beverages will be allowed into the park except those required medically or baby formula.
         • Rental of strollers, wagons, wheelchairs and motorized scooters will be available at the Bear Essentials retail kiosk, which will be the only retail location open during phase 1.
        • Additional temporary closures include the splash pad, all rides, drinking fountains, Nature's Neighborhood, animal feed experiences and the tunnel and elevator to the park.
        Gate hours will be Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., with the park closing at 5 p.m. The Zoo will be closed Monday and Tuesday for thorough deep cleaning.
        Visit toledozoo.org for more details.
 
Hayes Presidential  Library & Museums
        The Hayes Presidential Library & Museums will reopen its facilities to the public for three days a week with enhanced safety, cleaning and disinfecting procedures on Tuesday, June 23.
        The Hayes Home, museum and research library will be open from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Hours for high-risk visitors are from 9 a.m.- noon on Thursdays.
        Hayes Presidential members will be the first to return with members-only opening days on Tuesday, June 16, Thursday, June 18 and Saturday, June 20. As a benefit of their membership, they can participate in hands-on artifact activities and receive an additional 5 percent discount on top of the regular membership discount in the Museum Store.         
        Members interested in taking a Hayes Home tour during the member days are asked to reserve a tour time by contacting Kristina Smith at 419-332-2081, ext. 217, or ksmith@rbhayes.org.
        Become a member at www.rbhayes.org/main/membership/.
        “We’re looking forward to welcoming the public back to our buildings,” said Christie Weininger, executive director.
        Hayes Presidential temporarily closed to the public on Saturday, March 14 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Spiegel Grove grounds closed for a few weeks and have been reopened to the public since May 1.
        Staff is implementing additional plans for the safety of visitors, including additional cleaning and disinfecting, instituting a smaller maximum capacity of people and physical distancing measures and installing sneeze guards at the front desk and Museum Store.
        Staff will clean and disinfect the museum multiple times a day and will regularly wipe down counters and high-touch areas between points of sale at the Museum Store. Touchless hand sanitizer stations have been installed throughout the museum and library building.
        Visitors are asked to maintain 6 feet of physical distance between their household group and other visitors. Face coverings will also be required in the Hayes Home and library. Hayes Presidential staff also will wear face coverings. Wearing face coverings not only protects staff and visitors but also the artifacts visitors will see during the home tour and handle while in the library. Manuscripts will be quarantined for a set period of time and not given to another researcher until end of quarantine.
        Additional safety guidelines may also be in place when visitors arrive.
        Funding for additional cleaning and disinfecting supplies has been made possible through a grant from the Sandusky County Communities Foundation. Jerri and Chuck Miller of Fremont also have donated disposable masks for visitors who need them.
        Hayes Presidential will sell online and in-person admissions. Online tickets are strongly encouraged, and members are also asked to make a house tour reservation. Tickets will be available at rbhayes.org starting the week of June 23.               A 50-percent discount will be given on tickets for medical front-line workers, including medical technicians, nurses, doctors and emergency medical technicians.
        Hayes Home tours will consist of one household (visitors will determine what constitutes their household) per tour, with no more than 10 people in a household on a tour.
        Staff are still determining whether scheduled events will take place and whether they will be modified or become virtual events. Updates will be posted at rbhayes.org.
        For info, call 419-332-2081, visit rbhayes.org or follow HPLM on social media.
 
Sauder Village to open June 24
        Sauder Village will open for the season on Wednesday, June 24. The historic village is working with the local health department and is following state guidelines for social distancing, face coverings and sanitation to protect guests, employees, and volunteers.
        “We can’t wait to welcome guests back to the Historic Village and show them the new and exciting changes that have been completed since last season,” said Debbie David, Sauder Village president and CEO. “During these challenging times, Sauder Village is a great place to get away and enjoy a fun and relaxed experience with your family,”
        When the Historic Village reopens, guests will be among the first to experience some of the new buildings on the 1920s Main Street including the Bank, Jewelry Store, Hardware Store, Farm Bureau Office and Livery. Families can have fun making history together as they explore life in Ohio from 1803 through the 1920s. With historic farms and gardens, working craftsmen, baby animals, and outdoor spaces around the Historic Village, there are many fun and safe experiences for all ages.
        The Sauder Village Campground, Sauder Heritage Inn, Barn Restaurant, Doughbox Bakery and retail shops are also open for guests to visit.
        Historic Sauder Village will be open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission is $20 for adults, $14 for students ages 6-16 and free for members and children 5 and under.
        Updates to hours of operation, safety practices, special events and answers to frequently asked questions will be posted on the Sauder Village website at www.saudervillage.org. More details are also available by calling 800-590-9755, visiting the website or following on social media.
 
Cedar Point to begin season with phased opening
        Cedar Point has put stringent health, safety and hygiene protocols in place to allow a safe opening.
        The park will open initially for season passholders only, and shortly thereafter for Cedar Point Resorts guests and guests who have pre-purchased tickets.
        Cedar Point’s tentative opening schedule includes:
        • July 9-10 – park open to 2020 Cedar Point Season, Gold and Platinum Passholders only.
        • Beginning July 11 – park open to Cedar Point Resorts guests and 2020 Cedar Point Season, Gold and Platinum Passholders
        Cedar Point’s Hotel Breakers and Lighthouse Point RV sites will be open June 12-27, prior to Cedar Point’s opening.
        “The safety of all of our guests and associates has always been, and will always be our top priority,” said Jason McClure, vice president and general manager of Cedar Point. “We’re looking forward to returning to summertime fun in a safe and healthy manner,
         “We’ve implemented new safety protocols throughout the property that align with the recommendations of health and safety experts. With that guidance, we’re ready and excited to welcome our guests and associates back to Cedar Point,” he said.
        New cleanliness, health and safety protocols at Cedar Point include:
        • Reservations for a visit. In order to maintain limited capacity each operating day, all guests, including season passholders, will be required to make a reservation to visit the park though the Cedar Point mobile app or at cedarpoint.com. In a few weeks prior to park opening, 2020 Cedar Point Season, Gold or Platinum Passholders will receive an invitation to make reservations first, followed by guests who have pre-purchased day tickets. Reservation availability for guests who have not yet purchased a park ticket will be announced at a later date.
        Guests who stay at a Cedar Point Resorts property will have guaranteed entry to Cedar Point for each day of their stay, beginning the day after check in, but must purchase a ticket or have a 2020 Season Pass.
        • Health screening. All guests must complete a health screening declaration within the Cedar Point mobile app 24 hours prior to entering the park.
        • Temperature screening. Guests and associates will undergo a touchless temperature screening prior to entering the park.
        • Face coverings. Guests and associates will be required to wear a mask at all times.
        • Social distancing. Markers and signage will be placed throughout the park to assist with social distancing of at least six feet.
        Additional protocols include touchless transactions, limited guest/associate contact, enhanced cleaning procedures in high-touch areas, dining locations, hotel rooms and restrooms, capacity management through the park and additional hand sanitization stations.
        Guests are invited to download the free Cedar Point mobile app to facilitate their visit to the park and to make a reservation when they become available.
        For more information, visit cedarpoint.com.
 
Wood Co. Museum to reopen in July
        The Wood County Museum, located at 13660 County Home Rd., Bowling Green, will reopen to the public on Monday, July 6. Hours of operation will be Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1-4 p.m. (closed on county holidays).
        The Museum was closed since March due to COVID-19. Since the closure, staff has been working on the installation of its newest exhibit, “People, Places, & Things.” The outdoor rotating porch exhibit and three online exhibits, are all available at woodcountyhistory.org.
        Additionally, the 32- track Wood County (Non)-Driving Tour, featuring local musicians and short narratives about some of Wood County’s most interesting places can be found on the museum’s webpage.
        The museum grounds are a public park maintained by the Wood County Park District and are open daily at 8 a.m. until 30 minutes past sunset.
        For more details, call 419-352-0967, email marketing@woodcountyhistory.org or follow the museum on Facebook and Instagram.
 
Science center to continue virtual & community operations
        Imagination Station will continue to provide STEM education virtually and throughout the community, instead of within its building this summer, due to the final stages of its large-scale construction project and the COVID-19 pandemic.
        The science center will reopen its doors to the public in September, along with the new KeyBank Discovery Theater.
        During the summer, Imagination Station is aiming to provide fun, engaging science education to the community in numerous ways. Summer camps that were already scheduled will continue with social distancing precautions. Virtual learning opportunities will also continue with Imagination Station’s “Stay At Home Science,” accessible through its website and regular social media livestreams.
        Additionally, Imagination Station will offer programming activities all summer long throughout the Toledo area. More information will be shared soon on the science center’s website and social media channels.
        “While Gov. DeWine announced that museums may reopen on June 10, our conversation has been around how we can best provide a positive experience for our guests,” said Lori Hauser, executive director of Imagination Station. “We considered that our facility is an active construction site, combined with the impacts of COVID-19. This led us to the conclusion that it’s in the best interest of our guests to provide STEM education all throughout the community and virtually this summer, until our facility can be safely accessible in September.”
        Currently, access to the building is restricted due to ongoing construction of the KeyBank Discovery Theater at the facility entrance, as well as necessary social distancing and increased safety protocols to limit the spread of COVID-19. Imagination Station is working with the Lucas County Health Department and infectious disease specialists from ProMedica to ensure all appropriate cleaning and safety measures are in place prior to the science center’s reopening in September.
        For more info, visit imaginationstationtoledo.org.
 
Historic Lyme Village
        Historic Lyme Village, 5001 SR 4, Bellevue, will reopen Wednesday, June 17.
        Guests are reminded to observe social distancing. Summer hours (June-August) are Wednesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The last tour will be at 4 p.m.
        Visit lymevillage.org for more details.