LETTER: Park Restroom Needs Better Design and Location
April 15, 2013
DEAR EDITOR,
I am writing to express concern regarding a proposed public restroom for Cape Charles Central Park from a risk management perspective, a functional perspective, and an aesthetic perspective.
While I do not disagree that public restroom facilities would be an enhancement to Central Park, I hope that decision-makers will select a more appropriate site and more architecturally appealing style for the project.
Aspects of concern include the following associated risks and functional challenges:
1. Flooding of facility: A number of areas within Central Park and the surrounding streets are flood-prone due to lack of drainage. The proposed location is adjacent to one of the areas most prone to large pools of standing water, and the foundation trenches already dug are largely filled with standing water and a substantial, virtually constant, area of standing water threatens encroachment into the footprint.
Dangers associated include:
— Public health risk from unclean facilities contaminated with bacteria-laden, stagnant water;
— Public health risk arising from proximity to a breeding ground for mosquitoes;
— Danger of slips, trips, and falls from known hazards, i.e. moisture on walking surfaces and higher potential of algal growth on walking surfaces constantly exposed to standing water as well as slips on icy patches in cold weather.
2. Potential for assaults and other illegal transactions in an unattended facility;
3. Public nuisance and public health risk if facilities are not maintained on a daily basis and locked overnight. The question of adequate funding to support cleaning, maintenance, and supplies should be addressed before the construction is approved.
4. Location relative to need: As a neighbor to Central Park, I have had the opportunity to observe traffic in and around the park. It appears that the area in most need of restroom facilities on a year-round basis is the children’s play area near the old Cape Charles school building. Parents and children are frequent visitors to this area. Tennis courts are also located in this area, although tennis court usage seems much lower than the former basketball courts. As proposed, the restroom facilities would be quite a distance removed from the area of need. [Read more…]
SUNDAY 4/28: New Roots Youth Garden Blessing of the Worms
The FLEET has been BLESSED and now it is time for the WORMS! The 3rd Annual Blessing of the Worms is 1:30-3 p.m. Sunday, April 28, at the New Roots Youth Garden (Randolph & Fig). [Read more…]
