Public Commons

Part of Regulatory View: Wading Pools Wading Pools & Splash Pads

On Thu, Jul 19, 2012 at 2:09 PM, Ava Lightbody <ava@dufferinpark.ca> wrote:
Hello,

I just have a couple of questions that are pertinent to the operation of the wading pool.

Question #1:
All season there's been confusion about an apparently new protocol that requires partial draining/refilling of the pool every time chlorine is added. None of the wading pool attendants are clear on why this should be done, or how much it should be drained before refilling. Could you clarify whether this is indeed a new rule, and what the exact details of it are?

We have learned over the years how best to deal with the cloudiness that results from sand in the pool. Namely, when the pool is cloudy we open the drain part way, and turn the fountain on. This circulates the water. If the pool is extremely busy and remains murky despite circulation, we would drain part way (about a quarter), and add fresh water.

It seems silly to partly drain even when the water is perfectly clear, just because it is time to chlorinate. A shrinking pool makes a big difference at a location as busy as ours, so it would be great to avoid unnecessary partial drains.

Question #2:
This is more of a request. Could you please send us (staff@dufferinpark.ca) the aquatics schedule as it comes out, so that we know what pool staff are working week to week?

Thanks a lot, and talk soon.

-Ava

On Thu, Jul 26, 2012 at 12:39 PM, Vince Lawrence <vlawrenc@toronto.ca> wrote:
Hi Ava,
It is a Public Health requirement to drain the wading pool after 4 hours, this is not a new procedures. It is also a necessary to drain the pool slightly and add fresh water when topping up the CH. This is done to mix and circulate the CH evenly throughout the water. Please find attach a copy of the schedule for Dufferin Grove wading.

Vince

I'm forwarding this to Sofia, Vince, Gary and Glen.
m

Vincent R. Lawrence
C.R.P
Parks, Forestry and Recreation
Toronto and East York District

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Dufferin Grove Park Staff <staff@dufferinpark.ca>
Date: Thu, Jul 26, 2012 at 5:35 PM
Subject: Re: A couple of wading pool related questions
To: Vince Lawrence <vlawrenc@toronto.ca>
Cc: Gary Sanger <gsanger@toronto.ca>, Nikki Chapman <nchapman@toronto.ca>, Ava Lightbody <adk.lightbody@gmail.com>, mayssan shuja <mayssan@dufferinpark.ca>

Hello Nicki and Vince,

Every 4 hours? The ministry specifically said it was not a requirement but a suggestion and the city changed back its policy. Or so i thought....

http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/07/11/city-reconsiders-shorter-hours-at-wading-pools-after-councillor-cries-foul/

There has also been much debate around what slightly draining is at Dufferin. We ask that Vince set up a time to come meet us and clarify this along with the coordinators so that we are all on the same page. So far wp staff have been draining half way consistently almost every hour when its been super busy. Bad optics here.

I have also been told by coordinators that its a health regulation of some sort to use the fill valves to add water to the pools when RE-Chlorinating mid day, INSTEAD of the sprinklers. What this means is that there is no water (due to water pressure) to our food cart and sandpit during our busiest times. This puts us in some trouble, both with public health and the community. Can you please work our a compromise so that we use the sprinklers during the day to circulate water in the pool and only the fill valves at the start of the day? Thanks for your attention to this.

Thanks Vince for the schedule. After our initial meeting pre-sesaon this is the first time a schedule has been sent our way - i hope we can continue to receive them in a timely manner for the next month.
m