PERRYSBURG, Ohio — Though indoor activities are still limited, we wanted to let you know you still have plenty of outdoor options available.
Founded in 1989, the 577 Foundation in Perrysburg has offered families a place to enjoy the outdoors, and plenty of indoor activities with a book exchange program and over 40 classes a month.
But going into March of this year, they knew they had to limit indoor activities completely due to the coronavirus.
So, they have made sure that there is still plenty to do for people who visit the 12-acre site.
"People are going to be stuck inside, they're going to need somewhere to come that's beautiful where they can experience joy and awe in a way that they're not experiencing in their homes and in a way that they can't do when they can't go somewhere to be entertained," said Heather Gallant, executive Director at the 577 Foundation.
The two Storybook trails have been established for families to enjoy while walking with their little ones.
However, their playground is still closed because they don't have the staffing available to sanitize the equipment as often as needed.
Along with opening their outdoor portions of their 12 acres to folks who needed an escape from their home, the folks at the 577 Foundation have also been busy planting and growing additional fruits and vegetables in their community garden to donate to local food banks.
"We actually started putting additional seedlings in our greenhouses because we had a sense that this was something that the community needed. At this point, we've already donated 50 pounds of food to local community food banks," said Gallant.
Heather says the 577 Foundation are not relying on state of Ohio health mandates, and are rather making health and safety decisions based on when they feel the virus has waned enough to reopen their indoor areas.
Until then, there is plenty of outdoor beauty and trail space to merit a visit on to this idyllic spot along the Maumee River.
"So slow down, and come and experience this time in a way that you can really connect with your family," Gallant said.