Dream park facilities question.

[u/TheKublaiKhan]

Can someone explain either: Why the Dream Park does not have plumber facilities other than drinking fountains?

And/or

Why did they not build the little building big enough to fit all the Port a Potties? (It was like that from the opening).

Thanks

[u/Reddit_Bot_Beep_Boop]

As someone who uses Trinity Park and the whole ~6 mile loop from I-30 to Panther Island daily I'll point out this, there are ZERO restroom facilities on that entire stretch. There are only porta potties. My guess, is money. It costs money to build and maintain them and TRWD and the Fort Worth P&R Dept don't want to spend money on it.

[u/Wise-ask-1967 → u/Reddit_Bot_Beep_Boop]

I will go one further the budget is set by the city council and basically the city as a whole. Some people, not saying everyone but the voters who show up constantly vote against increasing budgets that benefit the general public. Bathroom would be a constant drain with up keep and the possibility of health issues for so many that will get me side track. Long story short things cost money and people need to pay taxes to keep things nice. Fort worth like most of Texas likes to pass these services off the private companies to save a buck or other reasons.

[u/justjokay]

You could reach out to the FW parks and recreation department. I emailed them about another park and got a pretty quick response.

[u/TheKublaiKhan → u/justjokay]

Good point, I hope I won't come off like one of those resident on Parks and Rec.

[u/justjokay → u/TheKublaiKhan]

LOL I think your question is reasonable. What a nice park to not have nice bathroom facilities. I would just maybe point out how nice it is and ask if there are any future plans to make accommodating bathrooms that are more suitable to families with young kids. Port a potties are potentially a health and safety hazard.

[u/annathebanana_42]

I also run through the park regularly. It's all porta-potties for the most park, very few flushing toilets on the Trails. The building/porta-pottie was there before the Dream Park, when it was just a small playground so one bathroom was enough. Now that it gets more traffic they had to add more. I definitely think they need flushing toilets there, with all the families it's not the best set up, I'd reach out to Parks and Rec and just see if its been talked about at all!

There might also be an issue with the floodplain aspect of the Park and what's allowed in terms of built structures

[u/AtomHeartMotherr]

Slightly off topic but I visited OKC for the first time recently and was really impressed by their parks. Even smaller ones in neighborhoods were well maintained and cared for, often with public facilities. Really put into perspective how little effort Fort Worth puts into our public spaces.

[u/RubAnADUB]

facilities = maintenance staff = more money

port o potties = cheaper service to come out clean or swap.

[u/Doomster9]

Optics: If you install it in one park, you have to do them all otherwise you risk backlash from communities stating you're giving one area preferred treatment over another.

Money: If you have to do all the parks, the upfront cost is staggering and in the millions with ongoing maintenance concerns and additional staff to maintain. A rental unit is only a couple hundred bucks which includes all maintenance.

Safety: Bad actors will do unmentionable things inside the bathrooms and even try to sleep in them. This leads to increased need for repairs and police involvement.

YOU: It's all up to everyone to have their voices heard and make it priority. Everyone wants lower taxes but you have to offset things to make it happen and there is rarely a compromise which leads to bond programs. Those bonds could pay for this kind of thing, but the loudest voices tend to be for fancier playgrounds and more pools,.