Monthly Archives: July 2014

WILDOMAR CONTINUES TO LAUGH AT IT’S CITIZENS CONCERNS

I was going to do a write on the materials used in the Tot-Lots. But I have decided to use only pictures of some of the hazards that lurk in your parks 72 hours after the City Council of Wildomar was notified about the dangers in the Tot-Lots.

A shot to identify the park in question. It's Windsong.

A shot to identify the park in question. It’s Windsong.


This is pile of larger than 2 inch sticks that could impale a child should they trip and fall. Yes that is dog shit to the right. Also an 8 inch hard plastic rod.

This is pile of larger than 2 inch sticks that could impale a child should they trip and fall. Yes that is dog shit to the right. Also an 8 inch hard plastic rod.


Wonder how your child could trip and fall. Maybe coming down this ramp with the 3 inch lip at the end of it.

Wonder how your child could trip and fall. Maybe coming down this ramp with the 3 inch lip at the end of it.


Some additional dangers that have been present since the City Council was asked to shut them down and fix the problems.
How about the exposed hose clamp that could take off a toe.

How about the exposed hose clamp that could take off a toe.


How about 2 hose clamps in the same park.

How about 2 hose clamps in the same park.

WASTEFUL WAYS IN WILDOMAR

First time I posted picture was on July 15, 2014 the day the California State Water Resources Control Board approved an emergency regulation to ensure increased conservation efforts and reduce outdoor urban water use. These regulation allow the imposition of fines up to $500.00 per day for violations.
Since then almost weekly I have taken pictures of the City of Wildomar wasting water at Marna O’Brien Park. To their credit the waste is being reduced a little but far too much is going where it shouldn’t, the fines are set to take effect on August 1st. Sidewalks and parking lots do not grow.

Its more than just a little bit of water.

Its more than just a little bit of water.


July 21st, 1 week after the first picture. Got to the park a little late. This is about 1/2 hour after the water shut off.

July 21st, 1 week after the first picture.
Got to the park a little late. This is about 1/2 hour after the water shut off.


Sprinkler still broke. July 25th, 11 days after the first picture and 9 days after tell the groundskeeper.

Sprinkler still broke.
July 25th, 11 days after the first picture and 9 days after tell the groundskeeper.


Getting a little better, this is on the 28th

Getting a little better, this is on the 28th


Not sure who picked the sprinklers, but.

Not sure who picked the sprinklers, but.


This is on the July 28th. Better since broken sprinkler fixed but still needs work.

This is on the July 28th.
Better since broken sprinkler fixed but still needs work.


Watering everything but something growing.

Watering everything but something growing.


Not a single plant in this area.

Not a single plant in this area.


Except shrums.

Except shrums.


This occurs 3 times a week. All that water to grow dirt.

This occurs 3 times a week. All that water to grow dirt.


All that water and one still can't get a drink from the water statue, or

All that water and one still can’t get a drink from the water statue, or


If you have a long tongue you can try this one.

If you have a long tongue you can try this one.

A LETTER SENT TO THE CITY COUNCIL

It has come to my attention after attending the Measure Z Oversight Committee and doing some research, that not one of the Tot-Lots in the city parks meets the minimum standards for depth and quality of fill material, along with maintenance as set for forth in the California Code of Regulations, Health and Safety Code Division 104. Environmental Health, Part 10. Recreational Safety, Chapter 4. Safe Recreational Land Use, Article 1. Playgrounds.
Section 115725. (a) All new playgrounds open to the public built by a public agency or any other entity shall conform to the playground-related standards set forth by the American Society for Testing and Materials and the playground-related guidelines set forth by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Looking at U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Handbook for Public Playground Safety guidelines Publication #325 (2010). Section 2.4.2.2 Loose-Fill Surfacing Material, when using a Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF) it is recommended that equipment supports be marked with a minimum fill level to aid in maintaining the original depth of material.

This task was completed by the County of Riverside at the time of installation of the equipment in the Tot-Lot. Upon close observation over the weekend it has been observed and pictures posted on the internet that not a single decal that has been affixed for the purpose of noting the minimum depth of fill required is close to being covered or approached. Some of these decals are exposed by a couple of inches and others are exposed by almost a foot. By not meeting these minimum standards the risk of serious injury in a fall increases exponentially placing serious liability at the footstep of the city.

When digging down into the loose-fill material one reaches a cloth barrier, this barrier separates the loose-fill from the drainage field, one finds approximately 1 1/2 – 2 inches of completely decomposed wood material above this fabric which has no cushioning factor what so ever and should be removed before refill. This decomposed material is also wet and houses earthworms, signifying the possibility of a non-functioning drainage field which needs to be corrected. Without correction every winter several inches of fill material will become non-compliant and need to be replaced.

The risk of a child getting their head stuck under apparatuses increases with the reduced fill because areas that are not meant for play are exposed which could result in injury.

The lack of a maintenance schedule, which was made abundantly clear by statements at the Oversight Meeting, and can be seen in the unevenness of the surfaces in the Tot-Lots, plus the missing and broken hardware increases the probability of the city losing any litigation.

I am recommending that the City of Wildomar close off access to all the Tot-Lots immediately. I am also recommending that, by special session if necessary, a citizens committee be appointed to oversee the reworking of these Tot-Lots as the skills and the time allotted the part-time maintenance person or any other city staff is inadequate to complete the task in as short of time as possible. I am also recommending that no new equipment be installed in any Tot-Lot until such time as the deficiencies of each Tot-Lot is corrected and a certified inspection be completed and inspection sticker be affixed on a prominent place in each Tot-Lot.

Kenneth Mayes
Citizen of Wildomar

If anyone who has checked out the Tot-Lots agrees with the above you are encouraged to send the members of the City Council of Wildomar a similar letter. If you wish, you have my permission to use part or all of my letter. E-mail Address for the City Council Member are as follows.
Marsha Swanson, Mayor
mswanson@cityofwildomar.org

Ben Benoit, Mayor Pro Tem
bbenoit@cityofwildomar.org

Bob Cashman, Council Member
bcashman@cityofwildomar.org

Bridgette Moore, Council Member
bmoore@cityofwildomar.org

Timothy Walker, Council Member
twalker@cityofwildomar.org

ARE THEY SAFE ? OR DO WE SHUT THEM DOWN ?

Note the distance from the bottom of the decal. This is important.

Note the distance from the bottom of the decal. This is important.


Just how safe are the “Tot-Lots” in Wildomar’s 3 parks. This question asked at the most recent Measure Z Oversight Committee meeting when one of the committee members asked how often the Tot-Lots were leveled to maintain a safe thickness of fill material around the apparatus in the lots. (The answer was a shrug of the shoulders).

This could answer the question of why the Tot-Lots have not been inspected using PARSAC grant money as promised before the parks re-opened in April.

Doing a little research brings one to an interesting Handbook adopted by statute in the State of California when the legislature amended Health & Safety Code 115730 to create new standards for public playground improvements. Section 115730 applies to all public playgrounds

ALL PUBLIC PLAYGROUNDS MUST CONFORM TO THESE STANDARDS.

Following the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Handbook for Public Playground Safety guidelines Publication #325 they are not.

The required fill depth for Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF) is 12 inches for new material which can be allowed to compact to 9 inches.

When the Tot-Lot equipment was originally installed at the 3 parks, the equipment was marked with an appropriate filler material height as signified by decal affixed to each green post. An inspection of the 3 parks shows a serious lack of fill material which results in a lessened impact attenuation.
There are a total of 9 guidelines recommended by this Handbook

2. Loose-fill surfacing requires frequent maintenance to ensure surfacing levels never drop below the minimum depth. Areas under swings and at slide exits are more susceptible to displacement; special attention must be paid to maintenance in these areas. Additionally, wear mats can be installed in these areas to reduce displacement.
3. The perimeter of the playground should provide a method of containing the loose-fill materials. (This is accomplished by the concrete walkways that surround the Tot-Lots)
4. Consider marking equipment supports with a minimum fill level to aid in maintaining the original depth of material.

Heritage Park

Heritage Park

I can hear you now, who goes to that park?

Marna O'Brien Park

Marna O’Brien Park


Windsong Park

Windsong Park

(These marking are present on the equipment currently in the Tot-Lots) (Not a single park has one marker that is reached by fill material.)
5. Good drainage is essential to maintaining loose-fill surfacing. Standing water with surfacing material reduces effectiveness and leads to material compaction and decomposition. (This has occurred in the Tot Lots, digging down to the Fabric layer between the fill material and the drainage field one finds decomposed wood material complete with earthworms approximately 1 ½ inches thick. The City of Wildomar staff and the current employee are unaware if a drainage system exist in the Tot Lots as none are shown on the drawings on file with the city according to them.)

More Dangers are present.

Angle iron should not be exposed at all.

Angle iron should not be exposed at all.


Fill should reach round base.

Fill should reach round base.


Tripping hazard for all citizens. End of ramp should be completely covered.

Tripping hazard for all citizens. End of ramp should be completely covered.


This represents good maintenance? Notice the missing hardware.

This represents good maintenance? Notice the missing hardware.


If you look close the hose clamp has sharp edges.

If you look close the hose clamp has sharp edges.

One can find the Handbook referenced at
http://www.cpsc.gov//PageFiles/122149/325.pdf

IT STARTED OUT AS A 5.8 ACRE QUIMBY ACT DEDICATION, WHAT IS IT TODAY?

It is a strip of land approximately 150 ft wide by about 940 ft in length that is dying from a lack of attention.
Even after planting numerous plants (2,881 per the Planting Plan) and then spending almost $10,000 in emergency environmental permits and burrowing owl studies in this park, rebuilding the dog park at a cost of $10,500 for DG and fencing, this parkland has been all but abandoned by the city of Wildomar, excepting the expenditure of $950 for a bronze plaque.
All one has to do is look at the water bills which in the past have been $1452.28 for July of 2009, $1,827.37 in August of 2010, $1,243.18 in October of 2013 and is now down to $87.65 for May to June of 2014 (one month after re-opening the parks).
This parkland started out life in October of 1992 as the second Quimby land dedication, with Windsong Park being the first, in the then Ortega Trail Recreation and Park District. It’s value at the time was put at $237,133 with the improvements such as a park sign, access road, fencing, basketball court and bbq. It was soon determined that of the 5.8 acres accepted, 2.5 acres contained flood control channels. Of the 3.3 acres left a strip approximately 36 feet wide running the entire 940 foot length of the park contains a slope of 11% which exceeds the County of Riverside standard for Quimby donated parkland, the standard being 5% this is exceeded by more than double. Add to this a strip of land approximately 10 feet wide

Current 10 foot wide Channel that runs complete length of the  park

Current 10 foot wide Channel that runs complete length of the park


Sediment Removed?. This channel to be widened to 40 feet x 6 feet in depth. Note the slope to the right, unplayable

Sediment Removed?. This channel to be widened to 40 feet x 6 feet in depth. Note the slope to the right, unplayable


that CURRENTLY contains a concrete lined drainage channel running the entire length and you are left with just less than 2 acres of usable parkland. It was originally determined the developer was only required to donate 1.8 acres of parkland to satisfy their Quimby requirement. Looks like they succeeded.
When the County of Riverside turned over this parkland, after spending several million dollars on renovation, to the City of Wildomar the County failed to turn over, and the City of Wildomar failed to pursue all 5.8 acres of the original dedicated land (Even though city staff told the city council on July 22, 2009 that the county had turned over all of it, Staff Lied). This is a problem because the title to the flood control channel and associated access roads is currently held by the County of Riverside Economic Development Agency (EDA) leaving the maintenance of these channels, access roads and fences in limbo because this agency doesn’t really have a budget for maintenance, just ask the folks in Mead Valley. These flood control channels leading to Palomar and Grand Ave are also ideal for a trail Class One Trail as well as being necessary for the completion of the Murrieta Creek Trail link to Lake Elsinore.
Standing on Grand Ave. looking east towards Regency Heritage Park.

Standing on Grand Ave. looking east towards Regency Heritage Park.


In the channel which is accessed thru broken gate and fence looking back towards Grand Ave. Notice the accumulated debris.

In the channel which is accessed thru broken gate and fence looking back towards Grand Ave. Notice the accumulated debris.


Looking from where Union St. now ends at the channel back towards Grand Ave. Debris waiting to enter the park.

Looking from where Union St. now ends at the channel back towards Grand Ave. Debris waiting to enter the park.


From Union St. looking towards the park.

From Union St. looking towards the park.


CURRENTLY was used to describe the concrete drainage channel because in the Lakeland Village Master Drainage Plan this 10 wide strip is to be widened to 40 feet in width by 6 ft in depth.
This is the proposed new open channel "A" contained in the Lakeland Village Master Drainage Plan DEIR released in January 2014 by Riverside County Flood Control.

This is the proposed new open channel “A” contained in the Lakeland Village Master Drainage Plan DEIR released in January 2014 by Riverside County Flood Control.


The question remains is the widened area to be shared by the slope as well as the flat or is all going to be contained in the flat, narrowing this park even further. When the city manager was asked about this future prospect for this park he feigned ignorance. He has been sent the information on the Lakeland Village Master Drainage Plan.
This new drain will result in the removal of a 15 feet strip running the entire length of the dog park requiring the fence be moved along with the several of the apparatuses recently renovated.
The ends of the PVC pipe are 20 feet from centerline of the existing channel

The ends of the PVC pipe are 20 feet from centerline of the existing channel


Along with narrowing the existing dog park this channel will result in a loss of walkway,
The upright PVC in the can is 20 feet from the centerline of the existing channel near the basketball courts

The upright PVC in the can is 20 feet from the centerline of the existing channel near the basketball courts


the rebuilding of a bridge,
Each black mark is 1 foot, the top of the existing bridge is 2 feet with the bottom at 18 inches. The blue bag is 6 feet, the new depth of the proposed channel.

Each black mark is 1 foot, the top of the existing bridge is 2 feet with the bottom at 18 inches. The blue bag is 6 feet, the new depth of the proposed channel.


The edge of the new channel will extend out to the end of the PVC making it necessary to remove the existing circle at the park along with the existing planter.

The edge of the new channel will extend out to the end of the PVC making it necessary to remove the existing circle at the park along with the existing planter.


the possible loss of a gazebo,
The end of the PVC is 20 feet off the centerline of the existing channel.

The end of the PVC is 20 feet off the centerline of the existing channel.


the moving of numerous existing water lines and irrigation support apparatus.
Existing water valve servicing the parks irrigation system.

Existing water valve servicing the parks irrigation system.


This is an aerial taken by the County of Riverside in 2011 showing the existing channel.

This is an aerial taken by the County of Riverside in 2011 showing the existing channel.


This is the same aerial with the proposed channel whited-out.

This is the same aerial with the proposed channel whited-out.


This impending channel has been proposed in the Lakeland Village Master Drainage Plan which was released to the Public for comments back in January after several years of work being done on it by County Flood Control. Apparently the City of Wildomar only talks to County Flood Control when a developer needs something.
This parkland is in desperate need of a Parks Council to guide its future and the City of Wildomar needs its staff to separate the flood control aspects of it from the Parks and Trails aspects. I wish the Measure Z Oversight Committee all the luck in the world in determining what is expenditures for parks, trails and flood control.
If anyone is interested in reading about the history of the old Ortega Parks District there is a good synopsis at http://www.bsa.ca.gov/pdfs/reports/2002-106.pdf which is the State of California Audit of the district after bankruptcy.
The Lakeland Village Master Drainage Plan can be found at http://www.floodcontrol.co.riverside.ca.us/ bottom of the page under CEQA/Section 18 is the Draft Program EIR for the Lakeland Village MDP it is about 60 megabyte.

WHO ARE THE FOOLS?

While going over the financial reports provided to the public and the commission 3 days prior to the Measure Z Oversight Committee meeting, the agenda packet contains some very creative accounting.
1. The electric bill for Marna O’Brien (mind you none of the bills nor the warrant registers list a meter number) has not only “not increased” over the last 3 months, it had been going up at a rate of $850.00 a quarter or 3 month period when the parks were closed. The total for the sucker went down 45 cents even though the park has been open for the last quarter.
2. The phone bill for Marna O’Brien has also managed to go down 24 cents over the same period after going up a little over $27.00 a month for the 9 previous months.
3. It’s funny there is a payment for the movies that have been rented for summer movie nights but no mention of the rental for the screen, speakers and close captioning equipment the city has written checks for.
4. There is a payment to a paving company, out of Measure Z funds, for work at Marna O’Brien Park after a City of Wildomar Press Release on March 20, 2014 which clearly states that “The activities that the grant will fund include: 1. Pavement failure at Marna O’Brien Park; 2. Playground equipment inspection at the parks;
Speaking of number 2 over the years having had numerous pieces of equipment undergo periodic inspections, the inspecting company has always affixed an inspection sticker stating the name of the company, date of inspection and the name or number of the inspector. No such information is listed on any of the tot lot equipment and no check written by the city can be found in the warrant registers.
Conclusion; we been snookered once again. Like the $12,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for camera’s a Marna O’Brien Park that was approved way back in December of 2009.

Maybe for a movie in the park night they can show the “GDOS Movie” the City of Wildomar paid $2,592.00 dollars for.

THE FOLLY OF PART-TIME MAINTENANCE

The current part-time maintenance system being used by the City of Wildomar in its parks does not work.

There cheap signs but come on.

There cheap signs but come on.


Little things count.

Little things count.


This was taken moments after the landscape crew left the park.

This was taken moments after the landscape crew left the park.


"ONLY RAIN IN THE DRAIN" marked as required or not

“ONLY RAIN IN THE DRAIN” marked as required or not


Newly planted and in need of attention to survive

Newly planted and in need of attention to survive


Words not necessary

Words not necessary


Some tough kids

Some tough kids


This equipment was supposed to be inspected with grant money.

This equipment was supposed to be inspected with grant money.

WHERE HAVE ALL THE DOGGIES GONE?

Where ever they want.

Where ever they want.


A recent survey of Wildomar’s parks, Thursday July 17,2014 shows that all but one of the “Doggie Walk Bag” dispensers being empty and they have been for a couple of weeks. The one that has bags is improperly loaded making it next to impossible to remove a bag without destroying it. This does not include the fact that there are no dispensers located at Windsong Park, which is heavily used because it is currently a fenced in area, despite the holes in the back fence.
These are located 2 each at Regency Heritage, 2 each at Marna O'Brien and Zero at Windsong Park.

These are located 2 each at Regency Heritage, 2 each at Marna O’Brien and Zero at Windsong Park.


These bags are necessary because all of Wildomar’s parks drain into Municipal Separate Stormwater Sewer Systems (MS4) which then drain into protected waters. Marna O’Brien drains into Heritage Regency which then drains into Lake Elsinore. Windsong Park drains into the Murrieta Creek by way of a unnamed tributary. These bags also help keep the parks somewhat sanitary for “the children” who like to crawl about.
This is in a grassy area. Some has been run over by the mowers in other grassy areas.

This is in a grassy area. Some has been run over by the mowers in other grassy areas.


This is in the shrubs

This is in the shrubs


While talking to the part time groundskeeper responsible for these dispensers the bags are on order, which doesn’t solve the immediate problem of an increasing amount of dog excrement in the parks. Is it so difficult to go to the local pet supply house with petty cash and get some. Better yet if they are on order from the regular supplier, bite the bullet, pay for expedited shipping and learn from it.
Just one more problem with having a part-time person overseeing the parks.
Please show up at the oversight meeting that is scheduled for Thursday July 24 at 6:30 PM and request that the city either make the current person a full time parks employee or they hire someone to be full time.

MOVE WILDOMAR TO THE HEAD OF THE LINE

One of the culprits, stupid long sprayers in planter boxes. One of the results of having a part-time groundskeeper.

One of the culprits, stupid long sprayers in planter boxes. One of the results of having a part-time groundskeeper.


Wasting water outdoors amid the state’s drought will begin hitting Californians in the wallet under get-tough restrictions being proposed by state regulators, with fines of up to $500 a day.
More improper sprinklers selected by city employees

More improper sprinklers selected by city employees

The State Water Resources Control Board is scheduled to adopt emergency regulations intended to put teeth into conservation efforts that so far have produced disappointing results.

“We are in a drought of historic proportions,” board Chairwoman Felicia Marcus said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. “Many urban water users don’t realize how bad this drought is. The latest numbers released show water usage state-wide has actually increased 1% since the governors proclamation issued in January.

Broken sprinklers with no employee in sight. He was at his other city job.

Broken sprinklers with no employee in sight. He was at his other city job.


Another view of the broken sprinkler.

Another view of the broken sprinkler.


Water prevented from entering bioswale by clogged filters

Water prevented from entering bioswale by clogged filters


Its more than just a little bit of water.

Its more than just a little bit of water.


Its not only the parking lot that is being improperly watered.

Its not only the parking lot that is being improperly watered.


San Francisco is concerned about these new regulations because of the need to hose down alley ways and sidewalks for health and safety reasons. This appears not to be a problem in Wildomar’s parks? There is no full time employee to observe what needs to be cleaned.
Notice the staining on the pillar which is hidden from street view at night. The height suggest its not just 4 legged dogs doing this.

Notice the staining on the pillar which is hidden from street view at night. The height suggest its not just 4 legged dogs doing this.