The city of Fredericton, Mayor and council, have decided not to open any of the community/neighborhood wading pools this summer. Which they are placing the blame for this on Covid-19, and distancing regulations. And not the fact that they actually just don't want to spend the money. This needs to be reconsidered, and they need to take a look at who they're actually impacting, and how big of an impact this is for most of the young growing families, and those of less fortune then others. Those whose neighborhood is their life, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Those with no means of transportation, and without the financial capabilities, to take their children elsewhere this summer. Those whose only summer swim was at their communities wading pool. And sadly its the children that are the ones loosing out in the end! 

These neighborhood wading pools are never packed at any given time. You may, at best, see 3 to 4 families at any of these pools at one time.(Maybe 10 to 12 people at max) and thats generous! Most of these families, are families with multiple children, and/ or families, who are less fortunate. These pools are an outlet to allow for the mom or dad who has a baby, or another child that can't participate to let their children swim while tending to the children or child who can't at the same time. You can let the children play in the park and then cool down in the water, preventing overheating. You don't have to book an appoinment and hope it's still hot, and that your children will co-operate at that one slot you were given, with a limited time at that. You can sit with your non-swimming toddler or baby, and let the others still enjoy cooling down. You don't have to find bus money, or taxi money, and put yourself through the ringer for a 40 minute swim. Or wait in the heat in a line hoping to get a chance to swim. If you have children or are a community member, who makes use of one of these 9 wading pools, you know that getting an appointment, getting everyone there on time and in order, being efficient and quick, so they actual can enjoy the short swim theyll get maybe once every week or so, if lucky, will be next to impossible.  

How is it that I can send my kids to camp, to Oromoncto to their splash pads, to wal-mart, churches, the malls, daycare centers, and any other large gathering I please. However the option to let these children cool down at the neighboorhood park has been taken away. The wading pool which has 10 kids at most at anytime is not safe? The same wading pools that are in the same parks that are being maintained for use by whomever chooses? The same wading pools located specifically for the needs of each community! Instead we are being forced to opt out, head to one of 2 overpopulated  beaches nearby, or hope we can make an appointment for a pool that will constantly be at full capacity during ideal weather.  These pools allow kids to be close to home and still enjoy their summer as well. 

So please City of Fredericton, we are asking that you reconsider this decision, think of the kids, the parents, the communities, think of the less fortunate whos only summer enjoyment or heat escape, you have just taken away. 

These communities need these locations, they need this option, the children need their outlet!  If needed maybe we can look into the option of neighborhood volunteers, to keep the pools going, to help out with maintaining these locations. I'm certain many families would be willing to help in any way they can.

Thank you for your time and consideration. 

-Concerned community residents.