October marks the time when many parks and outdoor facilities find their use slowly decreasing with each drop of the thermometer. Outdoor swimming pools have already closed and park staff has already began winterizing these facilities.
What do we mean by winterizing? First, many of our park restrooms, pool bathhouses, and concession stands do not have heat. If it gets below freezing, we run the risk of water lines and valves breaking causing several thousand dollars worth of damage. Therefore, before the temperatures start to freeze, we begin to close these facilities by draining the water from all vulnerable lines.
When do facilities close? Generally speaking, our goal is to have all non-heated facilities closed by October 15. This date is a fairly standard closing date for many municipalities in Missouri. As the date approaches, we begin watching the long range weather forecasts and if it appears that we can extend the closing date, we will. For example, this year, Oct 15 is on a Wednesday. We may try to stretch the closing date to Monday, Oct 20 so that we can get one more weekend use out of the facilities. It all depends on the forecast. All facilities are re-opened by April 15.
There are times when Missouri temps will be unseasonably warm even in December and January so why don't we just unlock the restrooms during those warm days? It's not as simple as just turning the water back on and unlocking the door. In addition to draining the lines, we also disassemble all of the stainless steel valves and add RV antifreeze to the lines. This takes about 8 hours of labor per each restroom and a bit longer to reassemble and safely remove the antifreeze.
When do specific facilities close? It varies depending on the facility and use. For example, the concession/restroom facilities located at the Rainbow Softball Center, soccer and the Antimi complexes remain open until their respective seasons end, usually around the first of November. Park staff uses electric heaters to prolong the use of these facilities.
Most restrooms and drinking fountains close October 15. This includes the new restrooms at Kiwanis Park and Fairview Park.
The Stephens Lake Park Sprayground is closed from October 1 to April 30. We have found that the cooler temperatures drastically reduce the use of these facilities. The one exception may be the Flat Branch Park Sprayground. It is kept open until the conclusion of the Roots-N-Blues BBQ Festival. For 2008, this sprayground is closed Monday, October 6.
Nifong Park restroom closes on November 1.
The department is constructing three new restrooms, 2 in Cosmo Park and 1 in Cosmo-Bethel Park that are similar to the restrooms at Stephens Lake Park. These new restrooms will be heated. The Burford/Dexheimer restroom will close on November 1. The Nickell/Lamb restroom will remain open year round. For the 2008-09 winter season, the Cosmo-Bethel restroom will remain open. The use of this restroom will be evaluated and it may be one that is closed on Nov 1, 2009.
In addition to the Cosmo Nickell/Lamb restroom, the following restrooms will remain open all winter:
Stephens Lake Park: Collins and Gordon restroom
MKT Trailhead Restrooms: Forum Blvd and Scott Blvd
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