CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Metroparks announced hundreds of furloughs and layoffs Friday as well as the cancelation of its Edgewater LIVE and Euclid Beach LIVE concert series and its summer camps due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The concert series draws over 100,000 people every year to the parks, according to the Metroparks.
Additionally, the Metroparks also stated that 650 employees have been affected by full or partial furloughs, salary reductions and layoffs.
Cleveland Metroparks CEO Brian M. Zimmerman issued the following statement:
"During this difficult time, the Emerald Necklace has been a refuge for our community to safely get outdoors and take in the physical and mental health benefits that nature can provide. Unfortunately, while our parks have remained open, many of our operations that serve as revenue sources have been significantly impacted and we have had to temporarily furlough many of our dedicated employees. Our employees are what have made Cleveland Metroparks one of the top park districts in the country but, with the mandatory closures and restrictions in place due to COVID-19, we are unable to offer many of our annual summer programs and events to the community.”
The park system has also suspended transportation on the eLCee2 water taxi due to “mandatory safety measure in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
The park has extended the temporary closure of educational facilities, rental facilities, the restaurants Merwin’s Wharf and e55 On the Lake, nature shops, Go Ape Treetop Adventure and the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.
Park reservations, marinas and golf courses are still open.
For a full list of COVID-19 impacts on the Cleveland Metroparks, click here. Anyone who wishes to donate to the park system can do so, here.
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