CANFIELD — The Walnut Grove, an all-inclusive playground on state Route 46 in Canfield Township, remains closed despite the governor’s reopening plans that allowed playgrounds to open June 10.

Corey Patrick, The Walnut Grove’s president, said it would be impossible to meet the guidelines set for reopening, considering the limited number of people on the board.

“We were allowed to open on June 10, but we felt the requirements were something we could not meet,” Patrick said. “We have been closed since the week of March 20.”

Patrick said the main problem is sanitizing the equipment, which has the type of paint that is damaged by a bleach cleaner.

“The cost of the solution we would have to purchase is very expensive,” he said. “Then there is finding time and the volunteers to apply it, which would be like having a full-time job.”

He said the board of 14 members met and discussed the situation, including the idea to open for shorter hours or by reservation. He said none of those ideas seemed workable.

“The nearest all-inclusive playground like ours is in Chagrin Falls, and they, too, decided to remain closed,” Patrick said.

The Walnut Grove’s purpose, according to its website, is “to provide a place where individuals of all ages and abilities can learn through play and enjoy the freedom to interact with their peers.”

Although it is closed, some have tried to sneak in by removing the closed signs and taking down the yellow caution tape, Patrick said.

The Walnut Grove is a private playground, and when it is closed, no one should be using it, he said. He noted that some have likely assumed The Walnut Grove would have reopened with the governor’s OK.

“We’ve had people message us about people in the playground (area),” he said. “If a board member is available, they will go out and ask the person to leave.”

He added that, at times, he has had to use the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Office to respond.

“Not having a staff or security makes for challenges,” he said.

The board has not set an opening date for the playground. Patrick said if the guidelines change down the road, it would be reconsidered.

The board is looking at the next phase for the facility, which would include a second parking lot. That lot would include a pavilion, which Patrick said a local person has already stepped forward to support. The new parking lot would be on the south end of the playground. The sports fields planned for the north end remain on the list of future phases.

As for funding, Patrick said the pandemic has canceled a lot of little fundraisers because the businesses hosting them have been closed. The board got to hold its main fundraiser — Swing Wine and Dine — on Feb. 1 that brought in $45,000.

“Typically we start planning for 2021, but we are not sure where things will be at that time,” Patrick said, regarding the possible continuation of the pandemic into next year.

In the meantime, the playground still has maintenance costs even while closed, and insurance on the facility is well over $10,000 per year. To keep funds coming in, Patrick said the board is planning an online fundraiser.

“We are planning a purse raffle,” he said. “We have not released any tickets yet, but the raffle will be for a Louis Vuitton purse valued at around $1,500.”

He said people can visit The Walnut Grove on Instagram or Facebook for updates on the purse raffle and on the status of the playground.

jtwhitehouse@tribtoday.com