Moving the entrance to the rotunda
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Steve Barnick
Apr 26, 2011, 5:37:35 PM4/26/11
to Friends of Barton Springs Pool
At the last joint subcommittee meeting an inquiry was made as to the
reason for the move to the side of the building and the folks in
attendance from PARD responded saying that there is no record of what
the reason is. Seems odd but stranger things happen in this world we
can all agree on that.
My guess is that someone figured it would be more cost effective to
redirect the masses to that area so that that less staff could manage
letting people into the pool. This might been effective then but now
with all the pressures of increased usage and the threat to the trees
this needs to be evaluated.
The present entrance is a gauntlet that limits mobility of folks
entering by forcing them to immediately have to negotiate stairs on
the left that also cross traffics with people exiting through the turn
styles or taking a right down a ADA ramp that cross traffics with the
life guard office.
Wouldn't be nice to redirect the traffic back to the center where
there is rotunda entrance designed for that purpose and an open area
just inside for people to move in all directions to use the facility,
enjoy pool or just sit in the shade overlooking the entire space.
The mystery as to why it was moved is just a perplexing as the
opposition to return it to where it was original designed.
Regards,
Steve
reason for the move to the side of the building and the folks in
attendance from PARD responded saying that there is no record of what
the reason is. Seems odd but stranger things happen in this world we
can all agree on that.
My guess is that someone figured it would be more cost effective to
redirect the masses to that area so that that less staff could manage
letting people into the pool. This might been effective then but now
with all the pressures of increased usage and the threat to the trees
this needs to be evaluated.
The present entrance is a gauntlet that limits mobility of folks
entering by forcing them to immediately have to negotiate stairs on
the left that also cross traffics with people exiting through the turn
styles or taking a right down a ADA ramp that cross traffics with the
life guard office.
Wouldn't be nice to redirect the traffic back to the center where
there is rotunda entrance designed for that purpose and an open area
just inside for people to move in all directions to use the facility,
enjoy pool or just sit in the shade overlooking the entire space.
The mystery as to why it was moved is just a perplexing as the
opposition to return it to where it was original designed.
Regards,
Steve
Robin Cravey
Apr 26, 2011, 9:31:44 PM4/26/11
to friends-of-bart...@googlegroups.com
Well said, Steve.
-Robin
-Robin
Steve Barnick
Apr 26, 2011, 9:43:55 PM4/26/11
to Barton Springs, FBSP-Google Listserv
The rotunda has more than one booth for allowing folks to enter...therefore one can only assume that there might of been a man entrance and a women entrance. In today's world I would suspect there would be a family entrance, a ADA entrance along with a general entrance for all able bodied folk...
Regards,
Steve
From: Zoila Vega-Marchena <zv...@austin.rr.com>
To: ding_dong_slb <ding_d...@yahoo.com>; barton...@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tue, April 26, 2011 7:21:10 PM
Subject: RE: [bartonsprings] Moving the entrance to the rotunda
Steve,
Regarding your comment:
“My guess is that someone figured it would be more cost effective to
Regards,
Steve
From: Zoila Vega-Marchena <zv...@austin.rr.com>
To: ding_dong_slb <ding_d...@yahoo.com>; barton...@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tue, April 26, 2011 7:21:10 PM
Subject: RE: [bartonsprings] Moving the entrance to the rotunda
Steve,
Regarding your comment:
“My guess is that someone figured it would be more cost effective to
redirect the masses to that area so that that less staff could manage
letting people into the pool”
This implies that there was more than one person managing the rotunda
entrance way back. Where did you find this fact? I saw a picture of the
rotunda from the 50’s where there was only one attendant. If this was the
case, then, there were no savings on staff by moving the entrance to the
side. And, if so, there may be another reason why the entrance was
changed. Maybe the space was needed for a meeting room. Or, it could be
that it was time for a change, without a specific reason. Who knows.
With the current entrance, you can take a right and not get in the ADA ramp,
and not cross traffic with the lifeguard office, but instead, sit on the
benches and admire the pool, and later reach the stairs by the rotunda
without having to cross traffic with the life guard office. There is plenty
of room. There haven’t been complaints from the public about difficulties
with the current entrance.
I’m as perplexed by the insistence on moving the entrance to the rotunda. I
keep on wondering what practical benefit would come of it. It won’t make
the entrance to the pool faster and the lines smaller, unless more staff is
hired. It would only minimally reduce the traffic on the tree court over
the tree roots because people who enter the pool stay on the sidewalk,
except for the crossing across the tree court, which can be dealt by
re-routing people to the sidewalk with landscaping features.
It’s a personal choice of style. Is it worth $100K? There are so many
trees that need maintenance, mulch and water; but we don’t have $100K to
help them.
Zoila
This implies that there was more than one person managing the rotunda
entrance way back. Where did you find this fact? I saw a picture of the
rotunda from the 50’s where there was only one attendant. If this was the
case, then, there were no savings on staff by moving the entrance to the
side. And, if so, there may be another reason why the entrance was
changed. Maybe the space was needed for a meeting room. Or, it could be
that it was time for a change, without a specific reason. Who knows.
With the current entrance, you can take a right and not get in the ADA ramp,
and not cross traffic with the lifeguard office, but instead, sit on the
benches and admire the pool, and later reach the stairs by the rotunda
without having to cross traffic with the life guard office. There is plenty
of room. There haven’t been complaints from the public about difficulties
with the current entrance.
I’m as perplexed by the insistence on moving the entrance to the rotunda. I
keep on wondering what practical benefit would come of it. It won’t make
the entrance to the pool faster and the lines smaller, unless more staff is
hired. It would only minimally reduce the traffic on the tree court over
the tree roots because people who enter the pool stay on the sidewalk,
except for the crossing across the tree court, which can be dealt by
re-routing people to the sidewalk with landscaping features.
It’s a personal choice of style. Is it worth $100K? There are so many
trees that need maintenance, mulch and water; but we don’t have $100K to
help them.
Zoila
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Use the list to ask questions about the pool, offer wildlife sightings, or
post pool-related announcements. The email group lets you send invitations,
conduct polls, share files, post calendar events—all pertaining to Barton
Springs.
The BSP Hotline phone number is 867-3080. Information on pool closings and
pool hours are posted on this hotline.
For information on many pool issues including the trees, bypass tunnel
repair and mowing, visit http://www.bartonspringspublicprocess.com
Posts of political nature should have a subject that beings with POL:
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Detjen, Karl
Apr 27, 2011, 7:45:15 AM4/27/11
to Friends of Barton Springs Pool
I have a concern about the pool that has been "festering" for some time
now, but it could be resolved fairly easily and cheaply. The "beach"
along the north shore that is roped off for the salamander habitat is
looking really nasty. I'm not talking about the algae or the flowering
plants that are growing in this area. I understand how those are
considered integral to the salamander habitat. I'm talking about the
trash that is left floating there, and the poor condition of the floats.
Many of the floats are broken, probably due to a combination of age,
weather, and abuse. Between the broken floats and the litter, the whole
beach area just looks like a long forgotten / neglected back-water.
now, but it could be resolved fairly easily and cheaply. The "beach"
along the north shore that is roped off for the salamander habitat is
looking really nasty. I'm not talking about the algae or the flowering
plants that are growing in this area. I understand how those are
considered integral to the salamander habitat. I'm talking about the
trash that is left floating there, and the poor condition of the floats.
Many of the floats are broken, probably due to a combination of age,
weather, and abuse. Between the broken floats and the litter, the whole
beach area just looks like a long forgotten / neglected back-water.
Why isn't the trash simply picked out of the beach area? Is it
considered "disturbing the salamander habitat" when you pick a burger
wrapper or drink lid off of the surface of the algae? I think the
presence of the trash only demeans the pool in general, and the
salamander habitat in particular.
I propose that the pool get two (2) new, full length float-ropes. Put
one out there to replace the nasty one. Then, every two weeks or so, put
a "fresh" rope out, take the other one up, pressure wash it, and let it
out to dry. Simply rotate the two good ropes. This could be done with
minimal disruption to the algae and floating plants in the area, and
would greatly improve the appearance of that area. I believe that if the
beach area is kept clean of trash and the float-ropes look like someone
is actually maintaining them, people will have more respect for the
salamander habitat.
I would also like to see some kind of floating, water proof interpretive
signs on the rope. The signs on the guard stand are pretty good, but
mostly just visible to pedestrians. Some floating signs on the rope
would be visible to swimmers.
I would be glad to participate in any planning, constructing, or
maintenance/cleaning of the ropes, if the pool staff wants any help with
it.
Thanks,
Karl Detjen
Steve Barnick
Apr 27, 2011, 10:21:04 AM4/27/11
to friends-of-bart...@googlegroups.com, Laurie Dries
Karl,
I am cc'ing this to Laurie Dries to see what can be done.
Laurie,
I have some time on Thursday and would be willing to volunteer to help with repairing, and cleaning up this area with the supervision someone from your team if that is possible just let me know?
Regards,
Steve Barnick
I am cc'ing this to Laurie Dries to see what can be done.
Laurie,
I have some time on Thursday and would be willing to volunteer to help with repairing, and cleaning up this area with the supervision someone from your team if that is possible just let me know?
Regards,
Steve Barnick
From: "Detjen, Karl" <Karl....@austinenergy.com>
To: Friends of Barton Springs Pool <friends-of-bart...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Wed, April 27, 2011 6:45:15 AM
Subject: The Salamander Beach
Karen Kocher
Apr 26, 2011, 10:20:14 PM4/26/11
to friends-of-bart...@googlegroups.com
Hello:
Many kids, summer camps and families really enjoy the educational offerings at the Sheffield Center. I hate to see that huge space that is the rotunda used as simply a pass through and lose the space that is currently available for families to learn about the Springs. The small wing that is Splash is great, but too small for all of the people who visit. In talking with the staff down there, I thought that they had plans to improve and expand the cultural offerings in the rotunda area. I think that is an valuable use for that space and should be considered.
Just another two cents.
Best,
Karen Kocher
Many kids, summer camps and families really enjoy the educational offerings at the Sheffield Center. I hate to see that huge space that is the rotunda used as simply a pass through and lose the space that is currently available for families to learn about the Springs. The small wing that is Splash is great, but too small for all of the people who visit. In talking with the staff down there, I thought that they had plans to improve and expand the cultural offerings in the rotunda area. I think that is an valuable use for that space and should be considered.
Just another two cents.
Best,
Karen Kocher
Jonathan Beall
May 2, 2011, 8:55:30 PM5/2/11
to friends-of-bart...@googlegroups.com
Good idea Karl. Sounds like a simple and easy solution to a very
obviously funky looking area. I'll bring it up with Wayne and Laurie to
see if we can get something in there.
Thanks,
JB
obviously funky looking area. I'll bring it up with Wayne and Laurie to
see if we can get something in there.
Thanks,
JB
Steve Barnick
May 3, 2011, 10:40:34 AM5/3/11
to friends-of-bart...@googlegroups.com
Jonathon,
Sort of took this offline with Karl, and parties involved. Karl is getting it done and I plan on meeting him here this week at pool to discuss details.
Is there a volunteer pool day this Thursday? Have not received any notice and it is the first Thursday of the month. I am cognizant that we have been pretty active in the past several weeks so "no" is not a bad answer...:)
Regards,
Steve
From: Jonathan Beall <jonath...@sertodo.com>
To: friends-of-bart...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Monday, May 2, 2011 7:55 PM
Subject: Re: The Salamander Beach
Jonathan Beall
May 4, 2011, 8:08:24 PM5/4/11
to friends-of-bart...@googlegroups.com
Steve,
I sent out the email through constant contact on Saturday. Are you receiving these?
Karl sent me some images of the tiles they are considering. Very nice!
~JB
I sent out the email through constant contact on Saturday. Are you receiving these?
Karl sent me some images of the tiles they are considering. Very nice!
~JB
Robin Cravey
May 7, 2011, 5:12:07 PM5/7/11
to friends-of-bart...@googlegroups.com
Friends-
Thanks for moving on this. These areas have looked like heck for a long time. I'd like to help with getting them cleaned up.
-Robin
Jonathan Beall
May 7, 2011, 10:26:46 PM5/7/11
to friends-of-bart...@googlegroups.com
Wayne and Laurie took care of the buoy's and trash this past
Thursday. I believe Kevin and some volunteers helped them to clean
and rebead some new rope with buoys. It looks much better over
there in that area.
Karl, thanks for bringing this up and thanks to the city staff for moving on it so quickly.
~JB
Karl, thanks for bringing this up and thanks to the city staff for moving on it so quickly.
~JB
Detjen, Karl
May 9, 2011, 11:19:17 AM5/9/11
to friends-of-bart...@googlegroups.com
Yep, things moved so fast on this that the only credit I can take is for being the guy that complained. (Not a distinction that I care to cultivate.) I was still surfing the net, looking at the different kinds of buoys and buoy locking devices, while Laurie, Wayne, and crew were out “getting it done”.
It does look much better! I’ll try to help by picking out trash when I see it in the roped area.
Thanks Wayne and Laurie!
Karl Detjen
Steve Barnick
May 9, 2011, 12:44:01 PM5/9/11
to friends-of-bart...@googlegroups.com
Karl,
Your still my hero, and I will get down to the pool around 3:00 soon!
Steve
Robin Cravey
May 9, 2011, 6:40:44 PM5/9/11
to friends-of-bart...@googlegroups.com, Steve Barnick
Well, I just want to salute Karl, Steve, Kevin, Wayne, Laurie, and the staff. Karl saw the problem and spoke up, Steve seconded, Laurie and Wayne took action, and Kevin added some volunteer muscle.
This is how things should be done.
-Robin
Robin Cravey, president
Friends of Barton Springs Pool
Steve Barnick
May 9, 2011, 11:15:22 PM5/9/11
to Robin Cravey, friends-of-bart...@googlegroups.com
Here...here!
From: Robin Cravey <ro...@robincravey.com>
To: friends-of-bart...@googlegroups.com; Steve Barnick <ding_d...@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, May 9, 2011 5:40 PM
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