On 7/1/07 6:02 PM, "Eliza Littleton" <elizalittleton@yahoo.com> wrote:

Hello Neighbors, On such a lovely day, it is great to see so many people coming to the Highland Park gardens and fountain. It seems like the perfect place to let kids bike and run, and to sit and enjoy the beauty of the garden.

I am not sure what counts as enjoying the fountain and reflecting pool. My kids like to float their boats. Other than that, we just enjoy being around it.

Which brings me to the question: what are reasonable ways to enjoy the fountain and reflecting pool?

I don't know whether the community has yet decided what these water features are for. Which is fine for now, but in the meantime, not surprisingly, some folks are using it to swim or to bathe their dog on a hot day. (Eek, all that bird poop and germ-y water, not to mention the risk of children drowning).

Maybe we need more supervision of these areas by local police. Also, I think the community should plan ways to use the fountain and pool. For example, perhaps a local toy store could sponsor a model boat rental on the weekends (our family favorite)? 

I think the community needs to help people resist the urge to let their children and dogs go for a swim...

Sincerely, EL

I see no harm in dogs or children going into the fountain on a hot day, as long as they¹re not destructive. I would be much more bothered by a committee deciding what someone can or can¹t do. As long as someone¹s not doing damage or hurting someone else, this is still a free country. Different people enjoy things in different ways. I would hate for someone to dictate how I can or cannot ³enjoy² myself. More police presence is probably necessary around the Park and reservoir though. Last week, some folks ripped out the toilet in the restroom at the reservoir and threw it in the water. David Aschkenas -- David Aschkenas 915 N. Euclid Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15206 412-363-3458 www.daschkenasphoto.com