A whale of a time
In Nov. 2005 a new park opened in Hollister near Valley View
Estates. The cherry-on-top for the park is a whale that spritzes
water out while children play. The plan when the Southeast Park was
built was to run the water feature from Memorial Day to Labor Day
each year.
A whale of a time
In Nov. 2005 a new park opened in Hollister near Valley View Estates. The cherry-on-top for the park is a whale that spritzes water out while children play. The plan when the Southeast Park was built was to run the water feature from Memorial Day to Labor Day each year. For the first summer season children gathered and galloped around the whale in the hot sun, but last year after the Parks Maintenance department suffered budget cuts the city staff were no longer able to keep the whale in the water.
Even though the water feature just spritzes out water, it has to be maintained to the same standards as a swimming pool. A parks staff member has to go out daily and make sure chlorine levels are within the accepted parameters, according to a staff member. The person has to be certified to test chlorine levels. Since 2006, the two certified employees have moved on – one transferred to another department and another left employment with the city.
Staff said if Measure T passes, the department should receive enough money to fund the maintenance for the water whale for the 2008 season.
Marcelo Orta, Parks supervisor, and other parks staff can be reached at 636-4370.
