The Observation Deck

After the recent storms, and during this heat crisis, we were without power at home twice this week for many hours. Night before last, the heat forced us from our home, and we found ourselves driving the streets late at night looking for a place of refuge. Other than some late-night diner or the hospital emergency room, the pickings were indeed slim.
Fortunately, I had the cell phone and was able to contact someone with air conditioning, willing to put me and my 91-year old father up for the night.
Granted, we could have gone to a motel, but so many Lakewoodites might not have either the money, or the mobility for that option.
It would seem to me to be a reasonable course of community action that ANY time there is a significant community power loss after hours, during weather problems, hot or cold, that one or both of the Senior Centers or some other common facility be opened, and coffee and donuts offered to residents displaced by natural disaster. At least one of the community buses would need to be made available as well, in order to get the ill and elderly to those destinations. A crisis hot line would also need to be made available to residents needing assistance.
Perhaps our CERT volunteer group might look into providing these services.
Dad and I do thank the Mayor's office (as well as our good friends who put us up for the night!) for their great response to us during this time of crisis in our lives.

I have made this suggestion to the Mayor's office as well.

Hi,
Perhaps, Clifton Beach could be opened to all for a week or two during this hot spell. I know many a hot nights I used to drive down and listen to the waves and feel the cool night breeze off the lake. Not AC but often better. The Lake is an excellent natural cooler.

Donald Farris wrote:Perhaps, Clifton Beach could be opened to all for a week or two during this hot spell.

I overheard a conversation between two Clifton Park residents the other day. Apparently there is already a concern of overcrowding with a recent increase in use.

Meg you are right. I live in Clifton Park and I can assure you that the beach is overwhelmed now. In addition to the Clifton Park (and Lagoon) residents, Clifton Club members enjoy beach privileges and I think every one of them is down there now.

The Ferris's sold their Clifton Park home a few years back. They lived on my street. So it doesn't surprise me much that Donald would now suggest that Clifton Beach accommodate 50 times as many users as it can possibly handle. I wonder if he would have suggested that if he still owned his home here....

Donald?

Hi,
Several years ago, I ran into a friend that lives in Bay at Clifton Beach. He said they joined Clifton Club so they could come to Clifton Beach. I said really, don't you have Huntington Beach right there? He said, yea but they didn't like the crowds.

Well, it is so sad that Lakewood's only waterfront beach is restricted from most of the City. This was the main reason Savannah designed the Peninsula. She wanted the Lake to be available to all.

Gary Rice wrote:It would seem to me to be a reasonable course of community action that ANY time there is a significant community power loss after hours, during weather problems, hot or cold, that one or both of the Senior Centers or some other common facility be opened, and coffee and donuts offered to residents displaced by natural disaster.

Sorry I took the conversation off course. I strongly believe increasing access to the lake for all residents could be good for Lakewood...if done right.

This past week has been at times unbearable. Our neighborhood has experienced power outages (ON/OFF) for days. We fled to the dreaded mall in desperation, seeking relief from the heat. Of course they close for the night.

I think our new school buildings could serve the community well during a crisis...and it would be great to have the city and schools work together to serve residents.

Checking out THE WATER MOOSE at yesterday's Streetwalk, I was reminded of the common practice of other cities I have lived in to open up hydrants to "cool things down" on hot summer days, which historically result in higher crime rates due to shorter tempers.

How fortunate we are to live in a community where we can enjoy the refreshing blast of cool water without fear.

Perhaps the city will consider a permanent installation of a splash park/pop jet fountain, centrally located for all to enjoy, all summer long. It's no day at the beach...but we'll take what we can get...for now.

Meg, oh Meg........If you ONLY knew... We've already HAD a splash park down at Lakewood Park; kinda, that is....

The history of the Observer Project has many high points, and then there are a few other moments that have made big splashes too....

In the Observation Deck archives somewhere lies a discussion from the old days centering around the overall efficiency of city services. One of the sidebars to that discussion concerned a virtually perpetual running urinal in the men's room at the Women's Pavilion, down at Lakewood Park. The thing ran like Niagara Falls for several seasons. For awhile, at that time, it seemed as if the city was either unwilling or unable to fix a simple running water plumbing issue, so naturally, here on the 'Deck, the discussion flowed even faster than the water did.

Seems to me that discussion garnered over 10,000 views too.

It even inspired a timely song parody from your local banjo bard, that I will presently spare you, for decorum's sake.

So in short, be careful what you wish for, when you ask the city to start running water down at Lakewood Park!


Back to the banjo...

Fortunately, there are better topics to write about, these days...

Gary Rice wrote:In the Observation Deck archives somewhere lies a discussion from the old days centering around the overall efficiency of city services. One of the sidebars to that discussion concerned a virtually perpetual running urinal in the men's room at the Women's Pavilion, down at Lakewood Park. The thing ran like Niagara Falls for several seasons. For awhile, at that time, it seemed as if the city was either unwilling or unable to fix a simple running water plumbing issue, so naturally, here on the 'Deck, the discussion flowed even faster than the water did.

One of the things I love about The Lakewood Observer Project is that it captures not just events and opinions but lore.

Gary Rice wrote:It even inspired a timely song parody from your local banjo bard, that I will presently spare you, for decorum's sake.

Maybe you could bring your banjo and share it at LO's next Beck Center gathering.

Gary Rice wrote:So in short, be careful what you wish for, when you ask the city to start running water down at Lakewood Park!

I was thinking Kauffman or City Center would be a better location for a splash fountain.