Tag Archives: Marna O’Brien

Coming to Wildomar: Great American Campout 2015

Campout

On June 27, 2015 Wildomar will be celebrating the National Wildlife Federations Great American Campout.
IMPORTANT: You must register by Wednesday June 24, 2015 to insure you get a space. Space is limited.
You can register by downloading the form from the city website at
http://www.cityofwildomar.org/wildomar-calendar.asp
Then click on Camp Out in the Park, the second page is the form.
This item is on the City of Wildomar Parks calendar at http://www.cityofwildomarparks.org/#!park-reservations/cmpv
but it doesn’t appear registration is possible from there.

Campout national

National Wildlife Federation’s Great American Campout is also part of Great Outdoors Month in June, a month designated to highlight the many kinds of outdoor activities that strengthen our bonds with nature.

For those that chose to do so you can “Take the Pledge” to campout in your backyard, your neighborhood, your local parks, state parks, and national parks, cabins, RVs, treehouses… you name it! — and be a part of the nationwide event!
Top National Wildlife Federation supporters have agreed to donate $1 for every person who participates in the Great American Campout – up to $100,000! These donations will support ongoing efforts to protect the great outdoors for all Americans.

http://www.nwf.org/Great-American-Campout/About.aspx
This takes you to the NWF website were you can pledge

You can also follow National Wildlife Federation Great American Campout 2015 on facebook at

https://www.facebook.com/backyardcampout

WHY DO WE HAVE AN EMPLOYEE ?

Hey Mister, What is that rag for?, it makes the ball do funny things.

Hey Mister, What is that rag for?, it makes the ball do funny things.

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While attending a special meeting of the Wildomar City Council, one of two citizens present, I had the opportunity to ask our Mayor what happened to the basketball nets that were order at the last regular City Council meeting held on February 11, 2015.
The answer was they are at home, there hasn’t been time to install them as it is a most difficult task, they do not just hook on.
The question that begs to be answered is
1. Why is it necessary for the Mayor to purchase new basketball nets.
2. Why is it necessary for the Mayor to install the new basketball nets.
3. Why is it necessary to have to attach a u-tube video explaining how to change out a net in this technically savvy age.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD3jIULO8wo

Many different free videos are available along with step instructions at E-how.com and other such sites.

With the city employing what has been referred to as a part time parks employee one has to wonder how it is with so little work to performed,
as the job does not appear to require a full time employee,
no time can be found to purchase an additional 4 basketball nets, as only 4 fancy ones were ordered, and install them in the 3 parks. Hopefully the city employee has acquired a step ladder since opening day 314 days ago.

WHY REINVENT THE WHEEL

At the last Wildomar city council meeting there was discussion about shade for the Tot-Lots. What I got out of this was that city officials where going to try and design something to work at Marna O’Brien Park once again leaving out the other parks, not important in their eyes.
Along with designing a shade they were going to try and find a sponsor to pay for this.
Such nonsense, Measure Z Funds along with Developer Impact Fees which can be used for capital improvements are available to purchase reasonably price shade structure that are already engineered for this purpose.
One such manufacturer is the same company that built the existing equipment installed in the Tot-Lots, Landscape Structures.
Below are images depicting this equipment that is readily available for around $10,000 per Tot-Lot. The price could be cheaper if the city uses volunteers to install it. (Let’s hope they don’t chose this option)

Sizes from 18 ft X 18 ft up to 28 ft X 28 ft

Sizes from 18 ft X 18 ft up to 28 ft X 28 ft

Sized at 30 ft X 30 ft

Sized at 30 ft X 30 ft

Listing for the largest shade structure

Listing for the largest shade structure

A little further description of what they do and some color choices.

Description Pyramid

It is time this city quit acting like a non-profit organization and spend the money we have wisely.

If a benevolent soul wishes to contribute to the purchase and installation of any of this equipment feel free to contact city officials.

WAY TOO LITTLE, FAR TOO LATE

This net is typical of all the nets in the city parks

This net is typical of all the nets in the city parks

At the most recent city council meeting for the city of Wildomar after being confronted about council members lack of really caring about the parks and the 305 days (the far too late) since the re-opening of the 3 city parks during which not a single tattered basketball net was replaced an extreme display of arrogance took place.
Rather than the council direct the City Manager to have the City Parks Employee (paid for with Measure Z Funds) use his part-time hours to visit the near by Walmart and using petty cash from the Measure Z Parks fund purchase 8 new nets at a cost of less than $40.00 and install them before the weekend, two days from that point in time.
A purchase order/voucher or maybe even the city credit card could have been used as well to be paid for at a later date using Measure Z funds.

A council person, during the meeting from the dais, ordered 4 fancy red-white and blue nets (the way too little), half of what was needed.

I (and at least one other person) will be watching to see if these nets are installed at the only park that seems to count in this city. The other 2 parks will have to wait for another embarrassing moment.

This display goes hand in hand with the lack of notice given area residents before the fence was removed from one of the parks. A most telling lack of respect for citizens directly affected by actions of the city. This removal occurred prior to any of the security measures being installed for which this city has paid up front a large sum of money with a date uncertain, two dates have been given January 26th and February 11th, so far

First date was delayed until February 11th due to delivery problems ?

First date was delayed until February 11th due to delivery problems ?

WILDOMAR’S VERY OWN RAINMAKER

The prescient prognosticators of Wildomar seem to have a clog in the synaptic cleft causing the nerve impulses to wander into the stratosphere of the imagination.

In the Measure Z Oversight Advisory Committee “independent audit” the rainmaker relived an out of body experience explained below.

Park rehab activities at Regency – Heritage park sustained significant damage during an afternoon spring storm in which over 5 inches of rain was received in 2 hours on the freshly planted slopes. The park is part of the County flood control system and acts as a storm drain channel. With the severity of the storm and micros bursts, the channel was inundated with debris which has hampered the parks timely restoration.

Freshly Planted?, the Great Day of Service was held on October 26, 2013. This rain event sounds about as fictional as the narrative provided the League of Cities.
http://www.cacities.org/Member-Engagement/Helen-Putnam-Awards/California-City-Solutions/2014/Great-Day-of-Service-City-of-Wildomar
In which it was claimed $100,000 in donations was raised. (Only if one counts the “anonymous donor”, not, as even with the 40K promised this fell far short of 100K.

The first month with days in the spring season.

The first month with days in the spring season.

This audit is for the 2013-2014 fiscal year with the parks reopening on April 12, 2014.
In most north temperate zone locations, spring months are March, April and May, with spring beginning technically on March 20, 2014 and ending on June 20, 2014.

The month the parks opened shows just under a quarter of an inch

The month the parks opened shows just under a quarter of an inch


The bulk of Aprils rainfall, .200 fell on the 24th and 25th of the month.

Using the data available from WeatherCurrents.com for Wildomar which has a weather station which is located in the City of Wildomar near Durango Ct. and Union St, this places the weather station 3200 feet or 6 tenths of a mile as the crow flies from Regency Heritage Park and 2000 feet from Marna O’Brien one finds this statement to be complete fabrication of someones extremely vivid imagination as the whole rainfall season for 2013-2014 shows less half of the stated rainfall of one micro burst.
Seasonal Rainfall
Like “Punxsutawney Phil” (who was dropped on his head or “Concord Charlie” maybe even the lastest to join “Mojave Maxine” these predictions while fun to hear are about as accurate as shooting spit-wads in a hurricane.

Another bit of fiction in the claim is that Regency Heritage Park is a part of the County Flood system. Although there is an enormous volume of water channeled towards this park only a standard 10 foot wide easement for the free flow of water exist in county records.

VISIT A PARK AN MAKE SOME MUSIC

It took a little over 9 1/2 months but one can now visit two of parks in Wildomar and make music on the chime panels located in the Tot-Lots at two of the parks.
(These panels are designed to promote auditory stimulation per the manufacturer)

Chimes located at Windsong and Marna O'Brien Parks Tot-Lots

Chimes located at Windsong and Marna O’Brien Parks Tot-Lots

Also replaced this week were Bubble Panels and Slant window panels that allow a child to view the playgrounds while developing Visual and Proprioception (a sense of how our bodies are positioned) along with motor planning skills. There cool too.

New Bubble Panel at Windsong Park from the outside.

New Bubble Panel at Windsong Park from the outside.


Thru the eyes of a child without the worry of falling

Thru the eyes of a child without the worry of falling

Not to be forgotten the slant panel a Regency Heritage Park was fixed along with the one at Marna O’Brien Park.

Chickened out looking from the inside out

Chickened out looking from the inside out

A sight better than before

What was at the park opening day

What was at the park opening day

We can see clearly now the fog is gone

We can see clearly now the fog is gone

Back at Windsong Park a much needed replacement of the mirror that was talked about recently has been completed with the refurbishment of the periscope.

The side discussed recently

The side discussed recently


Little notice backside of the mirror

Little notice backside of the mirror


Up periscope

Up periscope

Some much needed and required signage was also updated reminding parents and children of the dangers created by helmet, hoodies an other object around the neck while playing. The need for parental supervision is also noted

Age appropriateness is also included in the signs. Older kids need to be aware of the younger children

Age appropriateness is also included in the signs. Older kids need to be aware of the younger children

Please check for hot surfaces when the weather gets warmer
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WELCOME TO WINDSONG PARK

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CHANGES ARE AFOOT IN THE PARKS AND IT KIND OF STINKS

The fence was removed from Windsong Park on Friday October 24, 2014. At least partly which is so typical of this city.

Couldn't get the fence all the way out of the sidewalk.

Couldn’t get the fence all the way out of the sidewalk.


When Wildomar City Council members were contacted by concerned neighbors about why they were not notified of this event the political drivel started.
Even though some living elsewhere have claimed knowledge of its impending removal for weeks, with a surprising degree of accuracy, most council members claimed ignorance about the timing of the removal and a lack of notification being given to homes surrounding the park.
Even though a Council Consensus reached at a February 12, 2014 meeting stated the fence would remain until such time as appropriate security measures were in place just maybe citizens should have asked for this situation to be entered as a formal agenda item requiring a vote.
At the February meeting several items were discussed as appropriate security measures.
1. A log in station located inside the park for park security personnel requiring them to walk up to it and check in to insure they did more than just drive-by.
NOWHERE TO BE FOUND
2. Security lighting along the perimeter to eliminate some of the hiding places of those violating park hours. DAWN TO DUSK
NOWHERE TO BE FOUND
3. Security cameras meant to provide remote monitoring of the parks after hours.
NOWHERE TO BE FOUND

While some council members claim these security measure are in place with the addition of an ADA restroom (maybe the security office)
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A phone number (951)245-1974 to contact the private security company (A number which is only on the cheap ass signs at Windsong Park, if something happens at one of the other parks forget it, call (800) 950-2444 for Wildomar Police Non-Emergency (Non response as well).
Speaking of the cheap ass signs, it appears the fence was left in the way otherwise there would be no place to hang the cheap ass signs.

Example of a real sign

Example of a real sign


Another real sign. As often as the ones we have get stolen we pay for a good one in a year.

Another real sign. As often as the ones we have get stolen we could have paid for a good one.

Lights in the gazebos, which have been there since the county installed them and remained on 24/7 until electricians doing some work installed a photovoltaic cell which turned them off in the day time.
These lights currently can turned off by accessing the box with the switch, currently unsecured.

Look ma no lock

Look ma no lock


The log in station is nowhere to be found (unless the restroom is wired).

Perimeter lighting according to the city manager is still a couple of weeks away.
Cameras are going to be like the cameras that were promised at Marna O’Brien Park some years back costing $12,000 that never showed up even though the money disappeared. A figment of someone’s vivid imagination.

Couldn't even get it off the sidewalk

Couldn’t even get it off the sidewalk


Notice the chain to it from being stolen, the last one at this park was set on fire.
Let’s add some more insult.
The grass might grow
This grass is front and center of the park

This grass is front and center of the park

if the sprinkler wasn’t buried

Under a rock

Under a rock


Lets hope this was done so no one can be lock in the crapper.
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In case you didn't notice the broken latch in the previous picture.  If locked in just kick.

In case you didn’t notice the broken latch in the previous picture. If locked in just kick.


All is not a complete disaster as shown below.
Before
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Now looks like this
All better with a new box.

All better with a new box.


If you should notice something that is broken please call the new maintenance number at (951) 678-2451

WHO YOU GOING TO CALL ?

This past Saturday October 4, 2014 at around 8:00 AM while attempting to attend an advertised event, Coffee and Cars, at Marna O’Brien Park
(This event is listed on revised notice received September 4, 2014 from City of Wildomar)
a problem arose at the park, besides the fact this event had apparently been cancelled, as a couple of cars drove by only to find no one present so they moved on, as I was about to do as well.
This problem required immediate attention or it had the potential to damage infrastructure at the park along with neighboring property which could have cost the City of Wildomar some big bucks.
No where in the park is a list of emergency contact numbers, as this problem did not require 9-1-1 I went home and e-mailed the City Manager and Assistant City Manager at 8:15 AM, not knowing when I would receive an answer I took the initiative to contact another agency to resolve the problem.
This other agency also attempted to contact someone, anyone at the city to no avail. Thankfully this agency arrived at the park and was able resolve the problem by 9:15 AM an to prevent further damage from occurring. The first response to my e-mails arrived from the City Manager at 9:15 AM
Had I not stopped by the park and another citizen not familiar with the City of Wildomar and surrounding agencies seen this they would not have know who to call and this incident could have become quite expensive for the city. Far more expensive than utilizing the bulletin board located on the utility building in the park to post a list of emergency contact numbers and making sure someone is available to respond.
The agency I contacted to deal with the problem appears to use an answering service, much like doctors, to triage the calls and pass on the information to the best person to respond who then make contact to further assess the situation.
It would be nice if the event would have occurred as advertised as well.

ANOTHER REASON FOR WILDOMAR NOT TO BE A CITY

First off congratulations to Ashley Fox for doing a wonderful job in completing her requirements for a Silver Award.
A Stinky Brown Pile of Crap Award goes to the adults that screwed the pooch in getting this apparatus installed.
This installation brought to you by the City of Wildomar is:
1. An overly complicated backyard contraption which was being entered backwards at first because no one knew what they had or how it worked, installation was not finished until the day before the second scheduled ribbon cutting. It also has to be removed daily because it lacks the necessary security hardware that other apparatuses in the Tot-Lot have to make theft difficult.
2. It will add time to the part-time employees work day by its needing to be installed, checked on and taken down daily. Who’s going to put it away when park closes, the security guard, as the part-time employee will have been gone home for several hours.
3. This apparatus has numerous attachments that are easily stolen, much like the web belts on the molded swings at Regency Heritage Park that were never replaced. Is this the future of this device?.
4. Some claim there was a plan, some claim the apparatus arrived behind schedule which screwed up this plan. Well the truth is the drawings for this item have been available from the manufacturers website since day one, back before Easter. Despite this fact on August 25, 2014 the Parks Subcommittee made the final decision on where it would go 2 DAYS AFTER its initial installation was supposed to take place on August 23, 2014 along with spending as much as $28,500 in Developer Impact Fees to accomplish this goal. The city council gave the final nod of approving to the Wildomar Standing Subcommittee for Parks plan on September 10, 2014, all without any approved drawings being presented. Thankfully PV Maintenance, the cities contractor for city facilities donated the time so it will only cost the taxpayers whatever it cost to remove this contraption an return the Tot-Lot back to its former glory, accessible to all.
Numerous other problems exist with this apparatus as installed currently:

1. The slab it sits on today is 184 inches or (15 feet 4 inches) X 195 inches or (16 feet 3 inches).

The concrete slab poured  with frame embedded.

The concrete slab poured with frame embedded.


The drawing sent by the manufacturer and available on their website
Drawing supplied by the manufacturer

Drawing supplied by the manufacturer


This size use zone is also called out in the “Public Playground Safety Handbook” issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission “Publication 325″ last revised November 2010. This publication is available for download at http://www.cpsc.gov//PageFiles/122149/325.pdf
2. Also included in this government publication is another very important dimension which is found on Page 38
Section 5.3.8.2 Fall Height – The fall height for swings is the vertical distance between the pivot point and the protective surfacing beneath it. In the case of the Freedom Swing this distance is 96 inches (8 feet).
Section 2.4 Surfacing The surfacing under and around playground equipment is one of the most important factors in reducing the likelihood of life-threatening head injuries. A fall onto a shock absorbing surface is less likely to cause a serious head injury than a fall onto a hard surface. However , some injuries from falls, including broken limbs, may occur no matter what playground surfacing material is used.
The most widely used test method for evaluating the shock absorbing properties of a playground surfacing material is to drop an instrumented metal headform onto a sample of the material and record the acceleration/time pulse during the impact. Field and laboratory test methods are described in ASTM F1292 Standard Specification for Impact Attenuation of Surface Systems Under and Around Playground Equipment.
Testing using the methods described in ASTM F1292 will provide a “critical height” rating of the surface. This height can be considered as an approximation of the fall height below which a life-threatening head injury would not be expected to occur . Manufacturers and installers of playground protective surfacing should provide the critical height rating of their materials. This rating should be greater than or equal to the fall height of the highest piece of equipment on the playground. The fall height of a piece of equipment is the distance between the highest designated play surface on a piece of equipment and the protective surface beneath it. Details for determining the highest designated play surface and fall height on some types of equipment are
included in §5 Parts of the Playground. (See Section 5.3.8.2 above)
2.4.1 Equipment not covered by protective surfacing recommendations
The recommendations for protective surfacing do not apply to equipment that requires a child to be standing or sitting at ground level. Examples of such equipment are:
• Sand boxes
• Activity walls at ground level
• Play houses
• Any other equipment that children use when their feet remain in contact with the ground surface

Why all the information about fall attenuation?
Because the 3/4 inch Rubber-Cal tiles used below the swing are not rated for any fall.

Fall protection material selected by ?

Fall protection material selected by ?


This company make another type of tile that is 2 1/2 inches thick which is rated for a 6 foot fall which still falls short of the requirement.
The best material which meets all the requirements already existed in the Tot-Lot. Engineered Wood Fiber.
3. American Disability Act (ADA) requires there be an accessible route of travel. This Tot-Lot had that prior to the concrete ramp being removed in order to accommodate this apparatus. What we are left with is a straight drop-off an undersize slab, with even an attempt at a ramp on the far end being inadequate (its is only 48 inches wide with no slope,
Inadequate width and no slope

Inadequate width and no slope


not 60 inches with a less than 30 degree slope as recommended by ADA)
A proper ADA ramp

A proper ADA ramp

Boil it down we have a Use Zone that is to Small, we have NO fall protection and No access to rest of the Tot-Lot since the removal of the only ramp into it.

So as to not go to waste
Donate it to the senior center where persons with lifetime of experience dealing with difficult situations now confined to a wheelchair might enjoy it reliving their childhood.