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Mac Momma Minute: Splash Pad Update

Be The Voice.

By Melinda Gill July 19, 2014
BE THE VOICE. On Tues 7/22 at 7pm the City of Clermont City Council will vote on the "location" of the splash pad.
 
There is currently an RFP out for the design work for a "Waterfront Splash Pad." The Mayor, who in the past has gone on the record stating how he wasn't certain a splash pad was necessary and at the most recent budget workshop suggested bringing the location to a vote one again, will be proposing to put it at the new Clermont Arts & Recreation Center instead, as he feels there's too much drowning risk having it by the lake; nor does he feel in the heart of downtown Clermont is the right place for it. The Clermont Downtown Partnership (Merchants) is seeking to voice their desire for placement on Montrose in Downtown to help with revitalization and economic impact. Currently the Clermont ARC "community" pool has limited public hours due to programming, if the splash pad is put there who is to say the same thing won't happen? Will the families of South Lake that have been seeking this for our children once again miss an opportunity for morning and possibly year-round fun for our kids? At every official meeting, and those unofficial, it has been stated that the desire of the City was to make the splash pad free to families. If it is placed at the Clermont ARC would that change? Would fees be imposed and hours be limited? These are questions we need YOU to come ask this Tuesday night. One person asking the tough questions will not be enough, I assure you - our community needs you to BE THE VOICE.

To place it in the Downtown District would offer our town an opportunity to begin the revitalizing of an area that has been ignored for far too long. Many of the merchants desire this chance to not only grow their businesses but to help make a difference for the young champions of our future - for the kids in our community. In order to place the splash pad in this area it would require additional funding to build the restrooms necessary, a source (who wishes to remain anonymous) has told me that there is funds within the budget to build the restrooms if the play space is built in downtown. The Merchants of downtown deserve the opportunity to ask The City why this isn't a viable option and to express their views on why it is, including how those utilizing the West Orange Trail that come into the Downtown District would not only find a place to cool down the children but frequent the merchants as well. Downtown Merchant Amanda Walsh, Owner of Cheeser's Palace and Cafe, is prepared to make a fun "Splash Pad Picnic Menu" option. I know many other merchants that would offer family friendly specials as well. The Clermont Downtown Partnership will be present Tuesday to BE THE VOICE.

Clermont's Waterfront Park has long been a place of family fun. For generations families have flocked to the beautiful shore to play in Lake Minneola, to run on the beach, swing  and slide on the play equipment and enjoy activities from individual family fun to events like Pig on the Pond and many more. The recent addition of the new Highlander Hut pavilion has brought a renewed sense of community in that the venue hosts local Champions like school bands, Veteran's memorial events, the Lake Symphony, the New Beginnings Dragonboat Fest, and more. The outdoor venue brings families with children of all ages to the waterfront and offers them an opportunity to support community. Currently the restrooms at the waterfront, and the old (concrete) pavilion area are under renovation. To place the splash pad at the waterfront would afford families family fun in a location that is utilized year-round for the same. There are many months that playing in Florida's lakes is not recommended and to have the option to let our children play in a safe water zone during the hot summer months would give families the chance to still frequent a place they love, not to mention all the families that utilize the trail itself being able to have a place to cool down. The Mayor's concerns over the lake may hold some validity, however there's a playground that's been there for generations, a picnic pavilion and basketball court, and even a trail families travel daily for recreational fun. Many cities splash pads are built on or nearby the edge of lakes including Tavares, Celebration, Oviedo, and Dr. Phillips to name a few. Another thing that all of the aforementioned locations have in common is that the are fenced in. I do agree that parents would appreciate that added security, but I also believe strongly in empowering parents to watch their children and do their individual jobs to help keep their children safe. I also believe that parents must BE THE VOICE and express such to the Mayor and the Council. 
The current RFP out for bid is for a "Waterfront Splash Pad," one that is highly interactive and rivals the designs of other Central Florida splash pads we currently drive 25-60 minutes to cool off at with our kids. That drive doesn't just afford fun, that drive outside of our community takes economic impact with it. 

Questions that need to be asked this Tuesday night include: If the splash pad is built at the Clermont Arts & Recreation Center is the public afforded the morning playtime we seek, and will a usage fee be imposed and if so how much? If the splash pad is built in the downtown district will it still be a interactive design (that affords a high capacity) or would that design be changed to a "flat pad" resembling Downtown Winter Garden, and if so how limited is that capacity? If the splash pad is built in the originally proposed, and design sought after, location of Waterfront Park what is the capacity for fun? This momma believes it would be endless, and that it would still drive economic impact by keeping our young families from driving outside our community, that it would grant an opportunity to teach our children that Clermont is indeed the "Choice of Champions" and that our City Officials are champions for bringing family fun to our community while having a positive economic impact. 

One voice can rally a community, many voices can change one. We need YOU to make the time and show up this Tuesday night at Clermont City Hall at 7pm. We need YOU to be a Champion for your kid! We need YOU to BE THE VOICE.

Ok, so I understand that many can't attend meetings due to childcare challenges or work, here's an opportunity to still BE THE VOICE: email your thoughts to melindag@macaronikid.com BY MONDAY at 5pm and every email will be printed and given to the Mayor at Tuesday's meeting - I will do everything in my power to get YOUR VOICE heard and on the record. Stand with us. BE THE CHAMPION for your kid, BE THIER VOICE.

- Melinda Gill

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead