North Highland Park improvements prompt questions on restrooms; council approves geotechnical work

Barbara Robinson, a Prattville resident, told the council she was organizing an Easter egg hunt planned for April 12 at North Highland Park and asked how the city planned to provide restrooms and accommodate the expected crowds. Robinson said prior events had drawn hundreds of people and said having only a single-stall restroom available at some parks would be awkward for large gatherings.

Councilors and staff responded that the event, as described by Robinson, was not a city-sponsored event and that the city typically does not provide portable restrooms for private events. Council members suggested private organizers often arrange rental porta-potties through churches, sponsors or community groups. The mayor and council also encouraged Robinson to contact Parks and Recreation directly to coordinate park use and logistics.

At the meeting the council approved Resolution 9 authorizing $10,160 to GTEC LLC for geotechnical site services at North Highland Park; an engineer present told the council the geotechnical team would be on site the morning after the meeting. The mayor said the project could include a covered area and warned that portions of the park might be inaccessible while construction occurs. Council members and staff noted that the city could monitor needs for portable restrooms and that groups sometimes fund those rentals themselves when events are not city-sponsored.

Robinson said she would follow up with her group and discuss logistics with city staff; councilors invited residents to notify staff so officials can plan around construction activity if the project progresses.