COLUMBUS (WCMH) — Face masks will be required inside any Metro Park in Franklin County beginning Monday.

In a Facebook post, the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks announced the new mask mandate applies to all employees and visitors 10-years-old.

Following the state’s mask mandate, the park mandate includes exemptions for people who are medically or developmentally unable to wear a mask.

“The order requires that the mask cover the person’s nose, mouth and chin,” the post states.

Metro Parks also reminded people to practice social distancing while inside the parks.

According to a Metro Parks spokesperson, the team at Columbus & Franklin County Metro Parks came to the decision about the mask rule on Saturday.

“They came to the decision that in the best interest of continuing to make sure that our parks do not shut down and that we can be a respite for the people of Franklin County and Central Ohio,” said Peg Hanley, Public Information Manager, Columbus & Franklin County Metro Parks. “We are trying to do everything to keep the parks open and as we see the situation and hear the situation may be getting worse, we thought this was the best thing in the interest of the community to do this.” 

NBC4 spoke to a couple park goers at Sharon Woods Metro Park on Sunday afternoon.

“I think that’s a fantastic idea because this is all we have to come to,” said Mary K. “It’s another step, we just work together, that’s all. Lets just follow the rules for once, work together. It’s so simple. Just work together.”

Josh Booher was at Sharon Woods for a walk. He had just read about the rule about an hour before he got there. He said it won’t be a big deal for him because he always keeps masks in his car.

“With the numbers that’s understandable. I understand that they have to try and do whatever they can and whatever they feel is necessary,” Booher, said. 

The post about the mask rule on the Metro Parks’ Facebook page got a lot of attention. As of 10 p.m. Sunday it had 629 comments. Some commented saying they were unhappy with the announcement and said they don’t think the rule should be in effect because people are outside when at the parks. 

“You can’t please everybody. But in a situation like this we just want to please the people and keep them safe and keep the parks open,” said Hanley. “You’re wearing it to just kind of send a message that I care about you as a fellow park goer, I’m doing my part. That’s kind of the message we’re trying to convey is we’re all in this together.”

Click here for a list of Metro Parks.