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Commission declines immediate action on Schuman Park restrooms, weighs permanent solutions
Summary
Staff said visitation at Anton Schuman Park averaged 5–75 people per week over a sample period; the commission discussed adding porta‑potties versus a permanent restroom conversion estimated by a commissioner at under $50,000 but took no action, citing lack of sewer connections and low current usage.
The Converse Parks and Recreation Commission discussed adding more porta‑potties and hand‑washing stations at Anton Schuman Park on Dec. 9 but declined to take action, with staff describing the current temporary facilities as adequate for current visitation levels.
Assistant City Manager Naina Dixon Mendez told commissioners a cellphone‑data snapshot for June 17 through Aug. 26 showed weekly visitation at Anton Schuman Park ranged "from 5 to 75 persons per week," and that most weeks hovered around 50 or fewer visitors. Based on that data, staff recommended monitoring visitation after recent gate changes rather than immediately adding more rented facilities.
Commissioner Terry Borland said converting the park’s existing garage into permanent restrooms would likely be significantly less costly than building from scratch. "If you went at it from that angle, you certainly would come out with a number less than $50,000 to put dressrooms in there," Borland said, while staff cautioned that the site currently lacks a sanitary sewer extension and that sewer work could add substantial costs.
Commissioners also discussed the ongoing monthly rental cost for porta‑potties (reported in the discussion as about $165 per month) and whether a septic solution would be feasible versus connecting to a main sewer line. Several members suggested adding the item to next year’s park improvement lists and raising it at the planned workshop; the commission agreed to take no immediate action on additional rentals.
Next steps: staff will continue to monitor visitation data and the commission will consider permanent park improvements and restroom options in future planning discussions.
