Tag Archives: Windsong Park

Beware your Privacy at Windsong Park

CITIZENS OF WILDOMAR BEWARE YOUR PRIVACY!

Your privacy and the privacy of your children may be violated at Windsong Park, when some unsuspecting person stops by to use the facilities, as the lock on the portable restroom is missing (like gone)

 

Your health may also be in jeopardy as the hand sanitizer dispenser is also broken and laying about.

So much for daily maintenance that is costing $4,500.00 a month ($150 a day) we had better service when we paid $850.00 a month ($28.33 a day) to a small company

STRANGER THINGS HAVE HAPPENED

Imaging my surprise when I received an e-mail about work finally starting on the long ago anticipated lights and security system a Windsong Park. The biggest surprise was 1. It’s a Saturday and
2. It’s Valentine’s Day.

A close up of one of three holes being prepared.

A close up of one of three holes being prepared.

An idea of where they are located

An idea of where they are located

Long ago anticipated seems to be a key element to happenings in Wildomar. The inspection of all 3 of the Tot-Lots occurred almost 4 months after opening ceremonies, with another 5 months lapsing before their rehabilitation was started, yes there is more to do to bring them into full compliance but a least the work has STARTED.
The irrigation pump at Marna was fixed 8 months after hydro-seeding, long after any chance of growing a somewhat useful grass surface.

These lights as part of a security system, with increased patrols and on call private security along with a camera being the other portions were promised in a February 12, 2014 City Council Meeting.

Wildomar City Council Minutes

Wildomar City Council Minutes

The pertinent words

The pertinent words

Much to the dismay of park neighbors the fence was removed on a Friday October 24, 2014 with no security measures in place including access by residents of the private security patrols phone number, this was added after being brought to the attention of the city manager by an area resident

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This number subsequently washed away in one of the rainstorms.

Numerous dates for the installation of security measures were given after the fence came down by everyone at city hall from the city manager to each of the council members, such as the end of next week, within a couple of weeks, by the end of the month.
Then came the poster proclaiming a date certain.

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

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

While conversing with the employee of the company installing these lights apparently they are duplicates of the type installed at Marna O’Brien Park along the pathways. These lights according to County of Riverside drawings are 90 watt Low Pressure Sodium which consume an estimated 372,600 watts annually each. (This 93.15KWH per month will only cost an additional $13.04 a month in additional charges for this park at current rates, this does not include replacement cost of bulbs which last about 4 years and assumes peak demand charges are not incurred)
[This based on Southern California Edison’s Standard All Night Service operating schedule of approximately 4,140 hours of service per year one arrives at a total power consumption of 1 million 117 thousand 800 watts annually (1,117,800W) for 3 lights being installed]

Leave it to a city that proclaims it wants to be sustainable along with wanting to accept WRCOG’s green initiative to reduce our carbon footprint to install old technology, the rest of the country is currently headlong into replacing the old with new and installing Adaptive LED lighting technology which uses far less power (up to 60% less), being able to power down after certain time periods and powering up when required such as when directed to by motion sensors.
To install lights that burn continuously throughout the night in a park closed at dusk when a camera with infrared technology sees just fine in the dark appears foolish. But what’s new, city officials are continually making foolish decisions because they won’t ask for input from its citizens. ( A number of those citizens work for Southern California Edison including one that is currently an Electrical Systems Planner and has access to the latest systems and figures.)
This unwillingness to ask is one of the reasons the electric bill at Marna O’Brien Park cost 6 times normal when Demand Charges are included. These demand charges currently add up to about $36 per KWH.

Some will say, you are never happy with anything that gets done in this city , I say, your right things can always be done better. If nothing is said then the status quo will prevail and what’s the fun in that.

“What a waste it is to lose one’s mind. Or not to have a mind is being very wasteful. How true that is.”
Vice President Dan Quayle, 1989

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.

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

A BIG DOSE OF DISRESPECT and MORE FALSE PROMISES

Today Friday October 24, 2014 will go down as the day the CITY OF WILDOMAR showed its true colors.
Despite a promise at the February 12, 2014 City Council meeting during which council members reached a consensus whereby the fence at Windsong Park would be removed only after all security measures were in place.

On this day the fence came down without the consensus of the Wildomar City Council.

The fact that all the homes surrounding this park, all four sides, except one homeowner signed a petition requesting the fence remain until such time as their safety and well-being could be assured, not one homeowner was notified in advance of this event.

Its kind of funny that the person with the other petition signed by people living blocks away from the park knew this fence would be coming down this month as expoused a couple of weeks ago in a hit run attack, this is how this person operates, they give you their two cents and then leave immediately as your comments are unimportant to them.
It is total sign of disrespect when the City Manager sat at the same table with members of the Measure Z Oversight Committee just the night before an stated security measures would not be installed for another couple of weeks yet said not one word about this fence coming down on a Friday
(City Hall is closed until Monday).

Included in last nights presentation was information that the city has added two new phone numbers. One is in case there is a problem at one of the parks, such as a water leak or something is broken and needs immediate attention, calling this number will result in an e-mail being sent to 5 individual city employees. The other phone number is for citizens to be able to contact park security before calling the Po-Po, because everyone knows they won’t show. The big problem here is these numbers are no where to be found.
Just maybe its time to take the respect we as citizens so rightly deserve.

Let the taking back begin by voting out the incumbents who allow this disrespect to occur.

Let the taking back begin by voting out the incumbents who allow this disrespect to occur.

FIRE UP THE BRAIN, RE-USE THE SPACE

http://mfpp.ymca.net/
Page opens in separate tab search for Author “Kenneth Mayes” and please vote.

If one goes to this page they can vote for a project to bring a permanent chess table to one of Wildomar’s parks. This table would fit nicely in one of the unused gazebos at Windsong Park.
This table would also give some a reason to venture to the park and engage with others they might otherwise not ever meet.

One of two empty gazebo's abandoned by the city.

One of two empty gazebo’s abandoned by the city.


This large gazebo could hold several tables

This large gazebo could hold several tables


One example of the type of table that could be purchased

One example of the type of table that could be purchased


This once was an unused walkway in Glendale California. Now a chess park.

This once was an unused walkway in Glendale California. Now a chess park.

DEATH IS IMMINENT

Imagine my surprise when visiting Windsong Park today after being told it survived the recent downpour quite well.
The surprise was an enormous amount of dirt in the roadway and signs that the water had backed up at the drains overflowing the curbs.

This street is normally quite clean. Today it is filthy

This street is normally quite clean. Today it is filthy


Water needed the handicap ramp I guess

Water needed the handicap ramp I guess


All the way to the corner dirt is covering the sidewalk

All the way to the corner dirt is covering the sidewalk

At this point I took a trip thru another rabbit hole provide by one of Wildomar’s industrious little beavers that like to play in the creek (I trespassed onto city property) only to find the source of all this mayhem.

Once again the old farts grapper is 32" long. This pipe is a 60 inch pipe that is 50% occluded

Once again the old farts grapper is 32″ long. This pipe is a 60 inch pipe that is 50% occluded

Drainage for the Tot-Lot appears to be 100% pugged up and water is still oozing out of the line days later.

This pipe leads back to the Tot-Lot and is still weeping water days later

This pipe leads back to the Tot-Lot and is still weeping water days later

With the recent flooding that occurred at Elsinore High School being blamed by some on a failed city drainage system one can’t help wonder if that drainage line wasn’t in the same condition. You say no way. Guess what there are numerous examples of this same condition throughout the City of Wildomar.
More examples that are easy to find are at the new parkland on the eastside.

Another 60 inch line with 50% blockage.

Another 60 inch line with 50% blockage.

And at a reoccurring spot called Regency Heritage Park

This drains Palomar Street into Regency Heritage Park. 50% blockage

This drains Palomar Street into Regency Heritage Park. 50% blockage


Normal condition prior to the storm

Normal condition prior to the storm


Look maw, no trash

Look maw, no trash


Park side of the pedestrian bridge in park

Park side of the pedestrian bridge in park


Street side of the bridge which receives all that trash and dirt.

Street side of the bridge which receives all that trash and dirt.

These are only a very few places that are easily seen. Lurking throughout a city with no plan are many areas just like this waiting to reek havoc on the daily lives of Wildomar Citizens.
Time will tell if the local school district is next line to file what some will call a frivolous lawsuit to recover damages to high school campus.

IF THE PO-POS DON’T SHOW THE COUNCIL MUST GO

There has been recent ridicule of a community member for e-mailing the City Council of Wildomar in the early morning hours after a recent incident at one of our parks during which security in the form of private or law enforcement was severely lacking.
Doing a quick check of the progress on the safety enhancement of our Tot-Lots this is what I found on Saturday morning August 23rd at 9:00 in the AM at the very park in question.

Hiding under the Tot-Lot structure is a secret lair.

Hiding under the Tot-Lot structure is a secret lair.


Containing all the goodies a child should have to entertain themselves

Containing all the goodies a child should have to entertain themselves