Restrooms in the Park? UH Says "NO"

4/15 Update: Survey Results / as reported in May issue of UHCA News

Original article from the March issue of UHCA News can be found here

University Heights has Spoken

72% against adding restrooms to Old Trolley Barn Park
Clear message to City: find an alternative

Download the full survey results with unedited comments (names and personal information redacted unless explicitly granted permission to use).

As reported in the March UHCA News, the City again started exploring adding a restroom in Old Trolley Barn Park. Councilmember Whitburn contacted UHCA leadership and UHCA agreed to produce an online survey to provide a clear “Voice of UH” response to this idea.

The UH Park, Recreation, and Open Space Advisory Group (UPROSAG) had an open forum in September 2019 where dozens of neighbors came out in strong opposition, and the group formally voted to oppose this idea. 

As of press time, there were 250 responses to the survey, representing 359 park users, and the results are clear. The majority of responders were against the proposal regardless of distance from the park.

Of the 250 responders, nearly 70% visit the park at least once per week, nearly 90% walk to the park, 96% feel safe at the park, and the age ranges were balanced with the majority (55%) in the 31-55 age group. 

We have presented these results to Councilmember Whitburn, the City Park & Recreation staff, and Mayor Gloria’s office, along with an open invitation for them to attend any of our upcoming UHCA Monthly Meetings to hear directly from our community members.

The UHCA and UHPROSAG groups, along with the other UH organizations (UH Community Development Corp. and UH Historical Society), are all on record against this endeavor, and are certain that we are speaking for University Heights, as backed by this survey. The costs to build and maintain are massive (by city estimates up to $2 million dollars to build, and $100,000 per year to maintain, on top of the $500,000 already budgeted for design and community outreach); existing restrooms in parks today are in horrible, filthy, dangerous conditions; and our community doesn’t want it by a significant margin. 

Rendering of 1929 Adams, currently under construction across the street from the park

There is an opportunity to find a win/win in this situation and satisfy everyone while meeting a need and preserving the original park design and intention.

We implore Councilmember Whitburn, Mayor Gloria, and City staff to explore a public/private partnership with the future business that is currently under construction across from the park. We believe there must be a way to incentivize a new business (and help drive foot traffic), while saving the city an astronomical amount of money that could be better used towards other more urgent needs – homeless outreach, housing? This would be a better outcome all around, not just for park neighbors and community residents, but for all park goers (especially those who “need to go!”).  

— UHCA Board of Directors. Survey was created by UHCA and conducted online from February 13 to April 15, 2022 and in print in the UHCA News April edition.