StacyLynn624
enthusiast
Posts: 840
Loc: East Side
Reg: 09-24-04
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04-26-12 05:11 PM - Post#148480
When I went to daycare to pick up my child, there were signs all over saying that "due to the City of Allen's water restrictions, the day care will be unable to have Splash Days this summer." The day care has a splash fountain. Each class goes out for 10-15 minutes, once a week, to splash in the water. This is usually in the morning around 9am. So, we're talking 50-75 minutes a week.
The Stage 3 Water restrictions say that they "Prohibit the operation of spray ground recreation water parks that do not treat and recirculate water."
So, let me get this straight, the City, in an effort to save water, is hurting the children of working parents by not allowing them to play outside in water for 10-15 minutes a week, because those gallons of water for 1.5 hours a week for each day care with this system is going to drain the lake when there is no drought? Do I have that right? So, we can open the flood gates and send water to Dallas, but my kid can't splash in the water for 10 minutes every Friday at school?
We work for a living and have to send our kid to daycare. Splash day is his favorite, and he's been looking forward to those days starting in June. Now, they don't get them at all. We don't have time to take our kid to Celebration Park whenever we want in the middle of the day/week because WE WORK.
I'm all for water conservation around our house and only watering when necessary, but this hurts the kids. It's not that much, and I'm furious.
Just thought some of you might like to know.
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SB
enthusiast
Posts: 1134
Reg: 09-07-03
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04-26-12 06:21 PM - Post#148493
In response to StacyLynn624
You do understand that most of Texas is in extreme drought conditions, right? Without water business goes away and people go away. DFW has gotten out of the drought but it was very serious last year and nobody can predict that the rains we have had the past few months will continue this summer. Some of the factors in our water shortage still exist. An exemption here for the kids, another for some other situation, one for me so my grass can be a little greener and make me happy . . . and soon too few are conserving and we are back in a problem situation again. So make weekends special and make time to take your child to Celebration Park or the natatorium.
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mgrayar
enthusiast
Posts: 3148
Reg: 09-25-09
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04-26-12 06:30 PM - Post#148494
In response to SB
We have less water than ever due to the zebra muscle problem. Yes, we had to give water to Dallas due to our water contracts, but that does not mean we are free and clear for the rest of the year. Hopefully by limiting water use now, we can avoid going to stage 4. Believe me, nobody wants stage 4, but that is a real possibility if we have anywhere near the heat we had last year.
Learn more about Cystic Fibrosis and how you can help at:
http://www.cff.org
Everyone can make a difference! |
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rw
member
Posts: 420
Reg: 10-11-01
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04-26-12 06:40 PM - Post#148496
In response to StacyLynn624
When I went to daycare to pick up my child, there were signs all over saying that "due to the City of Allen's water restrictions, the day care will be unable to have Splash Days this summer." The day care has a splash fountain. Each class goes out for 10-15 minutes, once a week, to splash in the water. This is usually in the morning around 9am. So, we're talking 50-75 minutes a week.
The Stage 3 Water restrictions say that they "Prohibit the operation of spray ground recreation water parks that do not treat and recirculate water."
So, let me get this straight, the City, in an effort to save water, is hurting the children of working parents by not allowing them to play outside in water for 10-15 minutes a week, because those gallons of water for 1.5 hours a week for each day care with this system is going to drain the lake when there is no drought? Do I have that right? So, we can open the flood gates and send water to Dallas, but my kid can't splash in the water for 10 minutes every Friday at school?
We work for a living and have to send our kid to daycare. Splash day is his favorite, and he's been looking forward to those days starting in June. Now, they don't get them at all. We don't have time to take our kid to Celebration Park whenever we want in the middle of the day/week because WE WORK.
I'm all for water conservation around our house and only watering when necessary, but this hurts the kids. It's not that much, and I'm furious.
Just thought some of you might like to know.
Vent much?
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StacyLynn624
enthusiast
Posts: 840
Loc: East Side
Reg: 09-24-04
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04-26-12 07:33 PM - Post#148501
In response to rw
You do realize that all of the lakes are full, right? I'm not asking for all day everyday, but 15 minutes for some kids to have fun in the summer. This little line item is not present in Frisco's stage 3 restrictions. It discriminates against children who's parents both work all week. We pay taxes and water bills too.
It's shorter than some people's showers.
If they are going to limit this, they should ban the sale of slip and slides at target and Walmart too.
Letting the daycares run their splash parks for 15 minutes a day is not going to drain the lake. Give me a break.
It's about the kids.
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StacyLynn624
enthusiast
Posts: 840
Loc: East Side
Reg: 09-24-04
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04-26-12 07:37 PM - Post#148502
In response to StacyLynn624
Here's a link to the NTMWD's Stage 3 guidelines, with information about the zebra muscle issue at Texoma.
http://www.ntmwd.com/downloads/newsrelease s/drough...
Texoma's issue affects 28% of the supply. Hardly a majority.
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RRRquilter
enthusiast
Posts: 1243
Loc: Allen
Reg: 05-02-05
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04-26-12 07:51 PM - Post#148505
In response to StacyLynn624
If it is only once a week for 15 minutes I would think that you could probably go over the Celebration Park or the fountain at the Village of Fairview in the evening or on a weekend. Eat a little dinner on the patio of The Purple Cow and let you little guy play in the water or take a picnic to Celebration Park and let him have a good time there - kill two birds with one stone. That could make some happy family memories.
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SB
enthusiast
Posts: 1134
Reg: 09-07-03
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04-26-12 09:10 PM - Post#148506
In response to RRRquilter
Frisco was one of the communities that didn't meet stage 3 water conservation targets. They probably are not the best city to use as a comparison.
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mgrayar
enthusiast
Posts: 3148
Reg: 09-25-09
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04-26-12 10:27 PM - Post#148509
In response to SB
To OP: I don't get the argument about parents that work. The parks are open early and late. The Village is open late as well. If it's a priority, then there is no reason you cannot utilize these locations once a week.
You also need to do a little research on our water supply. Just because our lakes are full does not mean we have enough water. Our capacity is less due to the loss incurred by the Zebra Muscle infestation. However our demand is greater than ever with the fast development Allen has seen.
You may not see it in your daily life, but our water situation is a real issue.
Learn more about Cystic Fibrosis and how you can help at:
http://www.cff.org
Everyone can make a difference! |
Edited by mgrayar on 04-26-12 10:27 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Jeremy
member
Posts: 82
Loc: Allen, Tx
Reg: 06-20-11
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04-27-12 09:06 AM - Post#148513
In response to mgrayar
According to the Villages website the fountain in front of Purple Cow and Gloria's is open until 9pm nightly. There is a fountain show at 7pm,8pm, and 9pm and a security guard makes sure that kids are not in it during the show. If you watch the show and see the pressure behind the water you will understand why.
I'm not sure if the spraypark at Celebration is open yet but the hours will be daily except Wednesdays until 9pm when it opens.
These may not replace the daycare fountain for your kids but at least it will give them something to look forward to if you make it a regular event on Saturdays or one evening after work. In my opinion... you can't beat Gloria's for a great family dinner.
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StacyLynn624
enthusiast
Posts: 840
Loc: East Side
Reg: 09-24-04
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04-27-12 09:29 AM - Post#148515
In response to Jeremy
How about this research:
There are 13 member cities in the North Texas Municipal Water District:
Allen, Farmersville, Forney, Frisco, Garland, McKinney, Mesquite, Plano, Princeton, Richardson, Rockwall, Royse City, and Wylie.
Out of those 13, there is only ONE city that has this line item restriction: Allen.
Out of those 13, there are 5 cities that ALLOW for the draining and refilling of swimming pools (McKinney, Richardson, Rockwall, Royse City, & Wylie).
Out of those 13, there are 3 that allow for watering of teeboxes and greens at golf courses (Rockwall, Royse City & Wylie).
Why is Allen the only one that won't allow the preschoolers to have 15 minutes a week to cool off?
This screams to me of someone who didn't do their research. Did anyone canvas the city to figure out which businesses this would affect? Did anyone call those businesses and ask about their spray park programs to get further details about just how much water we're talking about? Did anyone compare water bills for those facilities to see just how much extra water was used during the time that the facility was run?
I highly doubt it.
There are aisles and aisles of toys at Allen Target stores, Walmart and Toys R Us that are specifically hooked up to hoses for summer fun. Those items are specifically named in the City of Allen Water Restrictions. Are you telling me that those items are really only used after 6pm and before 10am? Really? We they used then when you were a kid? Why are those continued to be sold in our City Stores, if the use of them is against the Ordinance?
I appreciate you looking up times for us, but as a busy family with two working parents who have long hours and long commutes, the last thing we want to do after work is leave the house.
It seems like some of you don't understand just how happy splashing around in water for 10-15 minutes a week makes these kids. The teachers love it and take tons of pictures of the happy children squealing with delight, playing with sponges and other water collection toys. It truly is my son's favorite day of school all week. It's 15 minutes.
This line item doesn't affect you. It only affects pre-schoolers who's parents both work. It's not meant to limit the fun of the adults. It only diminishes the quality of life for little kids who's parents both work.
Why don't you come tell them that we can't have Santa because of a shortage of red velvet?
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StacyLynn624
enthusiast
Posts: 840
Loc: East Side
Reg: 09-24-04
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04-27-12 09:32 AM - Post#148516
In response to StacyLynn624
The zebra mussels affect 28% of the total water supply for the NTMWD. 28%.
Are you meaning to tell me that last summer wasn't an fluke? That that is going to happen every year? I deal in statistics, and I hate to tell you this, but it was an anomaly. Remember that summer 5 years or so ago when it rained almost every day in June and half of July? The whole summer was a wash out. People weren't saying then that that would happen every summer. So why say that we're going to be in a huge drought every summer?
The fact is, we're not in a drought anymore, and this tiny line item is not the source of the problem. In fact, it wouldn't make a dent in the problem, so why hurt the kids?
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RRRquilter
enthusiast
Posts: 1243
Loc: Allen
Reg: 05-02-05
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04-27-12 10:26 AM - Post#148519
In response to StacyLynn624
I am sure that the people that run your daycare can come up with another 15 minute activity that will replace the joy your little boy receives once a week.
Have you called the city to talk with them and let them know how this line item in the ordinance is affecting the happiness of your family? I would think that this would be a good place to start. Hopefully you and your family can find a remedy, since you cannot find 15 minutes of your busy life to take your little boy to an approved splash park.
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StacyLynn624
enthusiast
Posts: 840
Loc: East Side
Reg: 09-24-04
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04-27-12 10:34 AM - Post#148523
In response to RRRquilter
"since you cannot find 15 minutes of your busy life to take your little boy to an approved splash park." Gee thanks. Why don't you come live in my shoes for a week. Or, come do my laundry and take care of our yard and go grocery shopping for us so that we can free up some time to take our son to the big spray park when we don't have to work. Very nice. You have no idea what our lives are like.
It just seems that this line item is harsh and was not thought through. And yes, I sent an email to the water conservation lead and copied all of the city counsilmembers, the city manager, and the mayor.
If all of the other cities can do it, why can't Allen? It's 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week. That's it. The one at my son's school drains into a city pond...that has a fountain.
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shiraz
enthusiast
Posts: 522
Loc: allen, tx, usa
Reg: 05-23-02
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04-27-12 10:36 AM - Post#148525
In response to StacyLynn624
StacyLynn, I'm sure you've already contacted the city about providing them with the information and statistics you've researched and a cogent, thoughtfully-crafted explanation of why you feel the splash park restrictions can and should be loosened. Perhaps you have also rallied your friends and neighbors to lend their voices, as well.
In the meantime, however, your loud and repeated claims of targeted discrimination against working parents and their children are, frankly, offensive. You are not being discriminated against. You are feeling an unpleasant and undesired effect of the water restrictions that may or may not have even been fully thought out when the restrictions were written. Contact the city and present your case. If you change things, you'll be a hero.
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StacyLynn624
enthusiast
Posts: 840
Loc: East Side
Reg: 09-24-04
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04-27-12 10:55 AM - Post#148531
In response to shiraz
Please tell me exactly how this line item affects citizens of Allen other than those who attend day care because their parents work. Please. I'd like to hear exactly why this line item is so important to you to keep in there. Because to me, its one person taking a shower once a day. 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week. That's it.
Here's the current drought map for the South:
http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/DM_south.htm
The Citis of San Antonio, Austin, and Lubbock (all harder hit by the drought than Allen) are on Stage 2 restrictions with no restriction on spray parks, recirculated or not.
Why is it that the City of Allen has to take such a hard stance on this? Why? No one else seems to. I would think that draining a pool and refilling it in McKinney wastes more water than my son's school does in two weeks with the spray park, yet those homeowners can do it.
Even the NTMWD doesn't have this as a Stage 3 suggestion, so why is the City doing this?
Do they have a spray park at the Senior's Center? No. The only non-recirculated water spray fountains that I know of are at daycares in Allen. So, it only affects those children. Please tell me how this affects other citizens. How can our city's 2-5 year olds be wasting so much water, that their summer fun has to be eliminated?
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RRRquilter
enthusiast
Posts: 1243
Loc: Allen
Reg: 05-02-05
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04-27-12 10:57 AM - Post#148532
In response to StacyLynn624
"since you cannot find 15 minutes of your busy life to take your little boy to an approved splash park." Gee thanks. Why don't you come live in my shoes for a week. Or, come do my laundry and take care of our yard and go grocery shopping for us so that we can free up some time to take our son to the big spray park when we don't have to work. Very nice. You have no idea what our lives are like.
It just seems that this line item is harsh and was not thought through. And yes, I sent an email to the water conservation lead and copied all of the city counsilmembers, the city manager, and the mayor.
If all of the other cities can do it, why can't Allen? It's 15 minutes a day, 5 days a week. That's it. The one at my son's school drains into a city pond...that has a fountain.
Most of us think that our lives a busy. As a mom who has gone back to school, has three children and a husband to take care of with all the normal household chores, more then our fair share of outside activities - I get it, I really do. But your rant seems to be on the selfish side, and not thinking of the community on a whole. Sometimes, we have to make sacrifices for the betterment of the world we live.
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Jeremy
member
Posts: 82
Loc: Allen, Tx
Reg: 06-20-11
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04-27-12 11:21 AM - Post#148535
In response to StacyLynn624
It seems like some of you don't understand just how happy splashing around in water for 10-15 minutes a week makes these kids. The teachers love it and take tons of pictures of the happy children squealing with delight, playing with sponges and other water collection toys. It truly is my son's favorite day of school all week. It's 15 minutes.
This line item doesn't affect you. It only affects pre-schoolers who's parents both work. It's not meant to limit the fun of the adults. It only diminishes the quality of life for little kids who's parents both work.
None of us know what hours you and your husband work and if you even have weekends off. However, if you do I would think that if you are off on weekends you enjoy spending some time with your family. Laundry and other chores can be finished after the little ones are asleep. Taking an hour or so to drive to a splash park to enjoy it with your kids and personally hear them "squealing with delight" instead of the teacher telling you they did should be easy to justify.
As for the second part of your statement, are you saying that if a parent that does not work and chooses to put their child in daycare to help with social skills is less affected?
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shiraz
enthusiast
Posts: 522
Loc: allen, tx, usa
Reg: 05-23-02
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04-27-12 11:50 AM - Post#148538
In response to StacyLynn624
I'd like to hear exactly why this line item is so important to you to keep in there.
Did I say the line item was important to me? No. I did not. Read my post.
Inconvenience does not equal discrimination. Disappointment does not equal discrimination.
Call the city. Make things happen. I wish you luck. But don't tell me you're being discriminated against.
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Barry_Hubris
enthusiast
Posts: 170
Loc: Allen, TX, US
Reg: 09-30-00
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04-27-12 11:51 AM - Post#148539
In response to StacyLynn624
There is a public forum at the twice held monthly City Council meetings where you can voice your opinions - maybe they will listen and lighten the restrictions.
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