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Neighbors and staff press for change after porta-potty delivery at Sundance Woods Park
Summary
Residents raised safety and nuisance concerns after a porta-potty was placed at Sundance Woods Park. Staff told the council the unit was delivered by the vendor and proposed moving it, adding a three-sided enclosure, or removing it; council directed staff to relocate and consider an enclosure.
A surprise porta-potty delivered to Sundance Woods Park prompted public comments at the April 22 Dayton City Council meeting and prompted staff to seek direction from council.
Resident Emily S. Leeson told the council the unit was delivered without notice and sits on uneven ground near homes, creating safety and nuisance concerns. Leeson said unsupervised youths had been playing with the unit and neighbors were worried about sanitation, rodents and tipping.
Parks staff and Councilmember Marty (staff) reported they had received multiple calls and had options: remove the porta-potty, relocate it within the park, or build an enclosure to screen and partially contain the unit. Staff noted the units were ordered to be placed in neighborhood parks this year in response to resident requests for restrooms and changing stations.
City staff suggested moving the porta-potty to a location closer to the ballfield and trail junction, putting an enclosure on three sides and orienting the door away from the street, or installing a slightly larger walk-in enclosure to conceal the unit from view. Staff said the vendor placed the unit at a spot the driver thought was close to play areas and that some other parks had similarly placed units.
Council discussion acknowledged competing needs: some residents want restrooms in neighborhood parks while others object to location and unsupervised misuse. Councilmember Scott and others said they supported moving the unit to a less visible location near the ball field and asked staff to work with neighbors (including Emily Leeson) and park staff to find an appropriate site and to report back. Staff said the vendor could move the unit as early as the following day and would pursue an enclosure if council wished to make that a standard improvement for neighborhood parks.
