Parents press Walton County on Felker restroom access, equipment and program fees

Multiple residents used the public‑comment portion of the parks work session to press county staff on day‑to‑day program operations at Felker Park, with questions focused on restroom access, safety and youth program costs.

Summer Adcock said she had visited Felker Park twice in the prior 10 days and found restrooms unlocked and clean during operating hours, and asked what had changed. Jody, Parks staff, said restrooms are unlocked when maintenance staff clean them in the morning and are opened for programs, and another official said in some cases unlocking during use had been an oversight that staff are working to correct so restrooms are reliably available when fields are in use.

Long‑form public comment from Jared Adcock, a long‑time coach, questioned rising registration fees (he cited a $145 registration this year), said coaches often buy helmets and equipment for teams, and urged the department to improve equipment tracking and return policies. "We had $68,720 worth of fees. That equates to 446 kids," he said in the record and later stated "We spent $17,000 of that 68,000 on helmets at my cost." Parks staff acknowledged those concerns and said some equipment purchasing and safety issues are being reviewed and that a camera pilot at Felker/Walnut Grove has reduced some vandalism but has not always captured faces for prosecution.

Why it matters: parents and volunteer coaches said fees and equipment gaps can limit participation, especially in areas where a high share of families qualify for free or reduced lunch; commissioners asked staff to produce clearer policies on background checks, equipment returns and fee structures so the county can improve access and safety.