(Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection - Letter to the Editor)

I do not understand. This should not be a hard decision. I have attended city council numerous times asking for porta johns at the city park. I walked from the playground to the 1st restroom by the ball field. It took 5½ to 6 ½ minutes depending on whether I walked a straight line or followed a paved road. When I got there the women’s restroom was closed. The sign said “We are sorry for any inconvenience Thank YOU!” It was another 2 minutes to walk to the restroom at the tennis courts. I at least knew where the restrooms were. Any visitor would have no idea.

I have called rental companies for porta johns. With a $30 delivery fee, rentals are $137 a month for both regular and handicap ones. So 2 porta johns would cost the city about $275 a month.

There are excuses used such as vandalism. That is a constant problem not just with restrooms but lighting and playground equipment. Many years ago there was a fence and gates that were locked nightly. Restrooms need to be checked periodically and locked and unlocked daily.

I heard the mayor say at a council meeting that there would be porta johns installed after school is out and music in the park starts. FYI anyone with children is aware that school is out every day around 3 p.m. and there are families with preschool children at the park at all hours and weekends. Last weekend picnic shelters were used for families and birthdays, but no restrooms are available within a reasonable distance.

Sunday while walking around the park a young lady actually approached me by the horseshoe pits and asked me if I knew where the restrooms were. I told her of the two, by the baseball field and tennis courts. I couldn’t even point it out around the construction. She asked me about the Rec building. I told her someone was there usually Monday thru Friday. She told me she was from Meigs County and had rented a shelter for a birthday party but the electricity didn’t work so they moved to an empty shelter. She walked to her car to drive to a restroom. This is a very sad story for what Parkersburg looks like to visitors.

The restrooms in the new building face the other side of the park. A new permanent restroom should be available to service the playground, 6 picnic shelters, band shell, outside activities, as well as walkers and runners in need of facilities for that side of the park. The Wood County Recreation building could be repurposed for restrooms with existing plumbing if it is more practical than a new restroom. Until then porta johns should be available.

MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Cathy Whitlatch

Parkersburg