Interim Marshall Park Board President Wayne Crawford was at the meeting of the city council to explain several decisions made by the park board during the council meeting on Monday, May 18.
Crawford said the board does not want the park closed, but it’s all about keeping everybody safe.

Crawford said by the rules set down by the state, only 53 people can get into the 608,000-gallon pool at any one time. He said if the pool opens, the staff has to make sure people stay six feet apart. They have to move all of the lawn chairs to meet the guidelines.

Earlier this month, the park board put out a release that said the pool will be closed for the summer, but that was due to the information the board had at the time, according to Crawford. Crawford now says all is not lost. Things could change for the better, and the board might get the green light to open up the park and the pool. He was asked questions by Ward 1 Councilmen Ron Ott and Dewey Hendrix.

Crawford said the park board will continue to listen to and get guidance from the Saline County Health Department and the state. He said it just comes down to the safety of the patrons, and opening the park and pool will be revisited again in the coming days and weeks.