No Balls Allowed

[Stephanie Thorburn]

Dear Chrissy,
Even though the rules and regulations for our park have been set forth, well over a year ago, we still have families that refuse to supervise their children. Because of the damage that has been done to the homes from the children playing ball near and around them, we issued a very specific addendum which specifies only certain designated areas in which the children have permission to play ball. We managea small park, with very little alloted space for children to play. Although we thought that the problem was under control, it has now cropped up again.We have many residentts complaining, yet instead of the residents taking the problem to the parents, along with management, they want us to handle it all. The children swear and cuss when asked to leave their lot, and the parents say, "not my child". The circumstances behind this park, was that when we took over the management, the children were running the park, and they were. The parents also are required to sign the rules and regulations agreement that state, "as parents you are responsible for any and all decisions that your children make pertaining to their behavior, whether good or bad, within the park, and that the parents will be held responsible for those decisions. Please give me some creative solutions to this problems.

[rmurray]

Looks like you are getting all the experience it takes to be a classroom teacher.......

Good Luck

[chrissy]

Well, the one answer that really works is not one that is quickly embraced by most residents because it requires effort on their part. The answer is to get the residents to take pictures of the children who are where they are not supposed to be, and share those pictures with the parents. It works, and it ends the dispute of who was where and when, but it does take some effort. Another possible solution may be to allow basketball goals - the portable type - on individual homesites. That way it contains activity to their own homesite.

[Stephanie Thorburn]

Thanks for the input. Although a long standing problem in this community, I think your suggestion may work, IF, I can get the residents to help out. Most want management to handle the problem so they do not have to "face" off with the problem childrens parents, as that is why they are "problem" children. BUT, if all else fails? Question for the parents is "so what do we get paid by the hour?" Thanks Chrissy.

[Stephanie Thorburn]

Gee Thanks, but I think it is more like "daycare". Adult as well as children". : )