Dixon acts quickly on Patterson pool gripes

The Baltimore Sun

After complaints about the management of the city-run Patterson Park pool emerged this week, Mayor Sheila Dixon yesterday announced a plan for the pool that includes greater oversight by top Recreation and Parks administrators, increased staff training and recruitment of additional "experienced" staff members.

"I was deeply troubled by the concerns the community has about the center," Dixon said in a statement. "Residents bring their children and families to enjoy the summer by the pool. It is essential that we provide a safe and welcoming environment for everyone."

Several patrons of the newly renovated East Baltimore pool complained Monday in a letter to Dixon and other city officials of an environment marked by "mayhem" and "disorder." Patrons noted a lack of supplies, such as pens and paper and an incident in which a female manager of the pool was pushed into the water by unruly youths as evidence of an unorganized and unsafe environment.

Dixon responded quickly, dispatching top Recreation and Parks officials and Andrew B. Frank, deputy mayor for neighborhoods and economic development, to the pool to meet with staff members. The next day, groundskeepers cut grass and planted trees.

"Frankly, I don't think we could have asked for a better outcome at this point," said Rebecca Smith, one of four authors of the letter to Dixon. "I think it's honestly much more than I hoped for. I'm definitely optimistic going forward about the changes we're going to see at the pool."

Smith said that because of the concerns a pool committee at Friends of Patterson Park was formed, and she and other committee members will continue to work with the city to resolve issues.

"As the city moves forward, the lessons learned from this event will be applied at all municipal swimming pools," Dixon said. "We can make our pools more family-friendly, and get back to making wonderful summer memories for everyone."

nicole.fuller@baltsun.com

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