[Summit] Please don't get in or on the fountain

[Ethan Gyles]

If the quantity of e-mails and Facebook comments (I also posted this to SNA's Facebook page and group) are any indication, this is a matter worth some face time with a Parks Department representative to discuss options and solutions. Lippitt is in some ways the heart of the neighborhood, so it matters a great deal. I've suggested to Parks Director Wendy Nilsson via email that SNA would like to facilitate a meeting, and if her team is willing I'll publicize the details so folks can participate.

Good evening, all,
Ethan




> On May 17, 2017, at 8:54 PM, Martha Fraenkel <mfraenkel at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> In Charleston, SC, every city fountain I saw was posted " please do not use soap in the fountain".  That is, they literally invite and expect you to enjoy the water.
> 
> Can we not do better than the endless needless controversy over this fountain, which is nice but not THAT nice?   I  support replacing it with one we can reliably and safely play in, which would have far more amenity than what we have now: a vaguely handsome relic that is reliably broken.  
> 
> And now the kids are going to be threatened with arrest for doing what kids do?    
>   
> I agree with Aaron.    Something is wrong here, and not just with the fountain.  
> 
> And,  when we can't afford to fix or replace this fountain, how about a pulldown shower or two, like you have at the beach?  Can we think  fun instead of NO fun?
> 
> 
>> On 5/17/2017 8:32 PM, Aaron Smuts wrote:     
>> If it is so dangerous and poses a nearly irresistible lure to children, just get rid of it.  And if it's so fragile that it needs to be protected by an array of ugly signs and an ugly fence like the one around the bird feeder obstruction, then it should go.  Get the dangerous eyesore out of the park. . . . Then again, perhaps we could just use some milder chemicals, let children play, and see what happens. If it can't stand up to the weight of a few kids, it's garbage. Old, but still garbage with some sort of maintenance plan that wreaks of corruption. How much was that caulking again?
>> 
>>> On Wed, May 17, 2017 at 5:07 PM, Ethan Gyles <ethangy at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> As we get a taste of summer, the Parks Department has asked SNA to relay their plea that folks do not stand on or get in the water at the Lippitt Park fountain. Reportedly dozens of people were in it yesterday, and ignored Parks staff who happened to be nearby and alerted them that it was unsafe. It is unsafe because the water is heavily chemically treated and the               fountain is historic and may not be able to bear the weight of people without damage. 
>>> 
>>> The Parks Department plans to increase their signage in the area with some stern warnings for now, and will be calling the police if folks refuse to get out of the fountain going forward. They also mentioned the idea of setting up a temporary fence all the way around the fountain, which I think would be a shame because it most certainly would be a chain-link eyesore. 
>>> 
>>> Please, let's not misuse this public resource or tolerate others doing so.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
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>> 
>> 
>> 
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