So you've already discussed putting in mulch...I mean ramps. I was having a little deja vu for a minute.
I am understanding it is in the discussion phase right now? Perhaps you can come up with suggestions to the problems stated such as: putting up a sign that says "NO SKATE BOARDS ON THE PLAY EQUIPMENT", talk about how teens hang out there anyhow. Would they rather wait until there is a physically challenged there to watch the other kids play?
I would keep it on the agenda a couple of more months for discussion, then when it is time to vote on it make sure you publisize so the whiners will have no excuses about not getting their way.
PLEASE--opinions and advice--ESPECIALLY if you have a ramped playground!!!!!!!
If you've been following the boards you know my group wants to raise funds to build a handicapped accessible playground--meaning there will be ramps going to the different levels of towers so kids in wheel chairs and with walkers could join the action everywhere.
Suddenly a few members in our midst have a problem with this, and are using:
-skateboarders
-potential teen hangout problems (especially because of the ramps with rails and the gazebo we want to use as a Reading Circle)
-lack of NEED (we presently have no handicapped kids at the school)
Therefore, they surmise that putting the ramps in is extravagant and dangerous, and will render the playground unusable within a year because the "teens" from all over will have taken over.
I'm nonplussed--what the hell have these people been the doing at the meetings the last few months? NOW, just when we're putting the plans to bed and charging ahead with the fundraising letter campaign (a lot of which was based on the handicapped accessibility aspect)?
So I posed the question, "Why even bother then? Ramps and gazebo or not, the potential that the playground will be a hangout is always going to be there." The response was," Well why does it have to be so big and THE BEST--why have the best when "good enough" is good enough?"
I do see the potential for skatboarders finding the ramps yummy, but just don't think it will be as big a problem as these women are making it out to be. I'm going to be talking to the PBA next week and with our director of speical services as well.
My vote is for the ramps, but go with what the membership wants, and right now it looks 50/50.
Am I wrong? Will it be a problem? Are there ways around this?
