March 24, 2020
COVID-19 information from the City of Blue Ash
Inside this issue:

  • COVID-19: what the City is doing to help stop the spread
  • Opportunities to help your neighbors
  • COVID-19: information and resources
  • Plans for SummitFest, Red, White & Blue Ash, and more events
The City of Blue Ash takes action
to stop the spread of COVID-19
Circumstances have been changing rapidly due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. To comply with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s orders and to help stop the spread of COVID-19, the City of Blue Ash has made several changes to operations and continues to evaluate plans and procedures. The list below is intended to be an overview and is subject to change:

  1. The City is still operational, but with limited capacity, and with no direct public interaction (except for emergency services). 
  2. Emergency services are fully functional, but protocols are in place to minimize exposure. Non-life threatening issues will be lower in priority or deferred until later as appropriate. 
  3. According to the CDC, if you think you have coronavirus, and are exhibiting symptoms (coughing, fever, shortness of breath) call your healthcare provider for medical advice. If your symptoms are mild, it is recommended that you stay home and self-quarantine. Call before you get medical care, but be sure to get care if you feel worse or you think it is an emergency. If you are able to travel by automobile to get treatment, please do so. Transportation by ambulance will not get you checked in any faster, and may put a strain on services for those with severe symptoms or other medical emergencies. Read more in Blue Ash Fire Chief Chris Theder’s letter to residents.
  4. Basic maintenance will occur such as limited public works construction, building maintenance, garbage pickup, and outdoor/grass maintenance.
  5. Some basic supportive administrative functions such as payroll, IT, finance, etc., will be conducted minimally with limited staff.
  6. Most parks and recreation facilities are closed, with the exception of passive park facilities. All gathering spaces and interactive spaces are closed. For instance, playgrounds, the Great Lawn and the Observation Tower at Summit Park, shelters, the Towne Square memorial, etc., are off limits so as to not encourage gatherings. Walking, running and biking are permitted, as long as social distancing is being practiced.
  7. Construction activity is still permitted (via the Health Department orders) so our building and zoning department will still function. Contractors who need to schedule inspections or drop off plans should call ahead to make arrangements.

You can find further information about COVID-19 and the City's actions and plans on this page of our website. It contains answers to many questions you may have and helpful links. It is being updated as events unfold. Be sure to check it frequently.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to bring you City services while also taking steps to keep citizens and employees safe during these unprecedented times.
Opportunities to help your neighbors
A message from Operation Give Back and Sycamore Bridges:

" Operation Give Back and Sycamore Bridges have joined forces to assist our neighbors in need during this unprecedented time. We are working together to provide supplemental groceries on a weekly basis to Sycamore residents.
Currently, Sycamore Bridges is accepting financial donations to help fund our efforts. Please visit the Sycamore Bridges website at www.neighborhoodbridges.org/community/sycamore to make a donation by clicking the green donate button under our logo. All contributions made during this time will be filtered to this effort.
We are also asking for volunteers to help us with urgent service-based needs, such as delivering food or medications. We will only request help for needs that promote proper physical distancing to keep our volunteers safe." 

In addition, Operation Give Back is working to help all residents of Blue Ash in need. If you are experiencing food insecurity, OGB has a community food pantry on-site, 10891 Millington Court, and is ready to help at this time of need. Call 513-489-2023 for more information.

The YMCA is also working on details to provide further assistance to residents. Details are forthcoming.

BAPD assists with food delivery
The Blue Ash Police Department helped Sycamore Bridges and Operation Give Back deliver supplemental food supplies to residents. See more photos here.
COVID-19 information
For the latest information from County, State and National officials on COVID-19:
Scroll down for infographics and information about COVID-19:
Events update: SummitFest, Red, White & Blue Ash
and more
The City of Blue Ash continues to plan for our upcoming events. As it stands now, SummitFest, Red, White & Blue Ash and other City events in mid-April and beyond will proceed as scheduled. We ask for your patience and understanding as circumstances could change at a moment's notice to cause postponements or cancellations. Our goal is to bring you outstanding family-friendly events, but we are also focused on the health and safety of residents, guests and employees. Please check the Blue Ash Events website for updates.

There are events held at Summit Park that are organized by outside entities (i.e. Barre3 in the Park, Muttstache Dash, Paws in the Park, etc.). Those organizers will make the decision to cancel or postpone their events. The Greater Cincinnati Earth Coalition has decided to cancel its Earth Day event at Summit Park on 4/25. Information about hosted events can be found at the Summit Park Facebook page .

June 13: SummitFest
4:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Summit Park.
Presented by Kroger, Toyota, and MSA Design.

July 4: Red, White & Blue Ash
4:00 p.m. - 10:35 p.m. Summit Park.
A note about social media
Unfortunately, you may have noticed that the City of Blue Ash – Government Facebook page has been inactive recently. An authentication error on Facebook has resulted in the administrator being temporarily locked out of the account and unable to officially post on the page. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused and have been working with Facebook to get this resolved. In the meantime, please check our website frequently and follow our official Twitter pages:
Don't forget to add communications@blueash.com
 to your safe senders list.