Hannah Hebrock of the Hancock County Family Support Center puts the final touches on a sunscreen dispenser that she put up in New Cumberland City Park on Monday morning. Chester City Park and Clarke Family playground were the first recipients. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

CHESTER — Five local parks or playgrounds will receive sunscreen stations courtesy of Hancock County Family Support Center (HCFSC) and the Hancock County Partners in Prevention.

Three of the promised five dispensers were up as of Monday afternoon, explained Hannah Hebrock, director of the HCFSC.

Weirton Parks and Recreation have given its blessings for two more stations to be put up in the park system –one each in Marland Heights and another in Starvaggi Memorial.

The dispensers currently are in Chester City Park, Clarke Field playground in Newell, and New Cumberland City Park near the playground equipment.

Hebrock gave credit for the idea to Lewis County, WV. She said a family non-profit there did it and HCFSC was so impressed, it borrowed the idea for Hancock County.

After putting them in their location, Hebrock said that she will periodically check the dispensers during the summer to make sure they are full with SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 30 and the batteries are not dead. The sunscreen should be applied to any uncovered areas very two hours.

Once winter is on the way, she said the dispensers will be picked up, winterized and stored until they are put back out at spring.

For more information about HCFSC, which is located in the Chester Municipal Building, or any of its services for families, call 304-748- 7850.