Sunday, July 12, 1998

Why does the city keep wasting so much water?

By ROGER JENSEN

Guest Columnist

I have been involved in the use of Redbud Park for many years, starting with the carving out of soccer fields for use by the Big Country Soccer Association.

Since that time many super improvements have been made, and the facility has been transformed from neglected waste into a good park.

Everyone involved with this transformation should feel proud of the accomplishment. I use this park every day and have for many years, and as such I feel qualification in submitting this letter.

Redbud Park has problems with the jogging and walking track. The pathway composition is not suitable for an area that requires watering of the adjacent grassy fields.

Patching the path

Several attempts have been made to keep the path patched up, but more often than not the path is riddled with pot holes, washouts, jutting rocks, water puddles and super slick muddy spots.

The overall situation at best is not good. The pathways are dangerous in several areas. I feel certain it is simply a matter of time before someone slips on the slick mud and is seriously injured. There are many early morning users, several of which are senior citizens.

The sad part of this dilemma is the simple fact that the park is being over-watered, contributing a lot to the poor track conditions. Watering is understandable; wasting water is not.

Water too precious

Water in this dry, parched country is extra precious this year.

As citizens we are encouraged to be conservative with our watering practice when caring for our own lawns.

It is sad to see water running down the gutters, and simply being applied in excess.

The north side of the park along South 32nd Street is a prime example. The stations there water daily for more than an hour. Sadly, much of the water being sprayed is running onto the street or running down the gutter.

Also creates hazard

Not only wasteful, this practice creates a hazard for folks trying to use the park. You either go through the mud and water or down the middle of a dark street.

I called the city parks department and spoke with Mr. Bob Cheatam, wanting to inform him of the recurring problem that exists regarding the watering system.

I was surprised to find that he was less than receptive to hearing my complaint. He informed me the stations do not and are not set to water every day. I told him that was not true; in fact, several stations do water daily. He again repeated this was simply not the case.

'A few' muddy spots

He further informed me he understood sometimes there were "a few" muddy spots on the track, but the rate of evaporation was currently more than an inch a day, and as such they were forced to keep the park wetter.

One morning recently, the park was being watered as early as 5:30 a.m. As late as 6:30 that evening, 13 hours later, there was still water standing in gutters and over the path in several places, at least one batters box was standing in water, and there were many muddy places on and adjacent to the track.

Is this much water really necessary?

Roger Jensen is a resident of Abilene.