The Seattle Parks and Recreation Department has postponed the opening of 11 of the 25 wading pools it operates because of the delay in getting safety drains, now required by the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act signed into law last December.
The parks department has been busy installing the drains in the swimming pools it operates in the city and is now moving on to the wading pools. The national demand for the specialized drains is at the root of the delay. And that is too bad, especially as the weather is finally getting hot enough to swim and kids in the community are ready to splash around in the public wading spots.
But if keeping children safe means waiting a month or two until the drains come in, then so be it. Those who use the pools are very young children and at the most risk. It is the right thing to do without question.
Eleven of the wading pools will not be open by summer 2009. But there are 14 others, so families looking to cool off should seek them out at www.seattle.gov/parks/wadingpools.asp.[[In-content Ad]]
