Gripes about Wichita (Hays, Haysville, Sedgwick: house, YMCA, closing)

[zoebaby]

I moved from California to Wichita 4 years ago, and I have at least 2 questions, thing's that are really bothering me, so, here goes . I love to walk and be outdoor's.... One thing that I'm wondering is why the park's are not lit up at night, it is so strange, one day, after work, I went to this park by my house to have a little walk on the track, and it got dark. It was so scary, I have never seen park's like that, with no lighting, it's ridiculous. They say that people need to get up off the couch, get healthier.... With all the money here from the airplane industry, i just really don't understand. So, I'm on the far end side away from my car, it's pitch black, and i'm just in shock. And I'm scared, the perfect oppurtunity to be assaulted, raped, who know's?? The park's in California are lit up, people are out, what is going on here? I love the city here, but some thing's are so far behind it's crazy. Another park, Watson park, closes at 4 p.m., everyday, in the winter, huh??? Watson park is close to my house, but it's closed by the time I get off work, so I have to go home to sit on the couch. And they are telling people on the new's, get up, get fit, get active, watch your cholesterol. How??Another strange thing that I have noticed is that the lifeguard's at the public pool's do not have umbrella's, they even were talking about the risk of cancer, that the lifeguard's have on the new's. It was so strange to see these young people out there, sitting directly in the sun all day with no umbrella's. It's such an easy solution to the problem, most cities use umbrella's at every lifeguard chair, in all of the public pool's. Wichita can't be that backward, come on now, it's 2008 and have these people heard of skin cancer???? I dont know where to write about these thing's, does anyone feel the same as I do, same experiences, frustrations? Like I said, I love Wichita, but I would really like to be able to get out and not feel like after 4 everything is closing and I have to go vegetate!! Where could I write to about these thing's?

[athfo]

Oh come on, seriously. I don't feel your post merits a response, unfortunately.

EDIT: All right, I give in.

First, being outside during winter in Kansas doesn't even compare to winter in California. Besides that, though, cities and states all over the US have varying park hours during different seasons.

Second, lights going out in a park once does not equal lights going out in every park all the time. That's like me saying "oh, there's no moon in the sky. Therefore, it doesn't exist". If you're referring to park hours and lights, however, then see my first point. If a park doesn't have lights on, then don't go there if it bothers you that much lol. It sounds like you haven't explored much of the city, as evident in some of the things you mentioned.

Third: Sedgwick County Park, Wichita Park and Recreation or City Bicycle Trails.

Fourth, umbrellas at swimming pools? Are you serious? Who cares!? Lifeguards are not forced to work there, you're not forced to go there... I don't even know where to start with this one. If you're really that concerned, take an umbrella, go to a YMCA, or go to Rock River Rapids, or stay in your home away from the big bad sun. /sarcasm

Your gripes about the city being behind the times cracks me up. For instance, go here: San Diego Recreation Centers. Click on any of them, look at the hours of operation, and I prove my point. Oh, and San Diego is in California, isn't it? /sarcasm again

[zoebaby]

Originally Posted by athfo

Oh come on, seriously. I don't feel your post merits a response, unfortunately.

Have you been in Wichita all of your life? You've never seen park's lit up at night, and people out walking, well I have, and this place is frustrating. Park's closing at 4 pm is the norm?? And you don't think that young adult's, sitting in the sun with no shade, possibly exposing themselves to skin cancer, does not merit a response?!!!! That is stupid

[zoebaby]

Originally Posted by athfo

First, being outside during winter in Kansas doesn't even compare to winter in California. Besides that, though, cities and states all over the US have varying park hours during different seasons.

Second, lights going out in a park once does not equal lights going out in every park all the time. That's like me saying "oh, there's no moon in the sky. Therefore, it doesn't exist". If you're referring to park hours and lights, however, then see my first point. If a park doesn't have lights on, then don't go there if it bothers you that much lol. It sounds like you haven't explored much of the city, as evident in some of the things you mentioned.

Third: Sedgwick County Park (notice the words open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily) or City Bicycle Trails.

Fourth, umbrellas at swimming pools? Are you serious? Who cares!? Lifeguards are not forced to work there, you're not forced to go there... I don't even know where to start with this one. If you're really that concerned, take an umbrella, go to a YMCA, or go to Rock River Rapids, or stay in your home away from the big bad sun. /sarcasm

Your gripes about the city being behind the times cracks me up. For instance, go here: San Diego Recreation Centers. Click on any of them, look at the hours of operation, and I prove my point. Oh, and San Diego is in California, isn't it? /sarcasm again

Im talking about the life guard's who are working there, they have a right to be protected from the getting skin cancer, if you go to a bigger city, you NEVER see lifeguard's outside without umbrella's, that looked so crazy to me when I first came here, and then they had a big story on the news about that, and it can be easily fixed, with umbrella's like every other big city. I live out by Haysville, why do I have to travel 30 minutes to go to a lit park? This town is just very unactive, and I guess people who just don't care

[athfo]

I decided to respond after all. See post above.

Originally Posted by zoebaby

You've never seen park's lit up at night, and people out walking, well I have, and this place is frustrating.

Wait, what!? That doesn't make sense and is opposite of what you said before.

[athfo]

Originally Posted by zoebaby

Im talking about the life guard's who are working there, they have a right to be protected from the getting skin cancer, if you go to a bigger city, you NEVER see lifeguard's outside without umbrella's, that looked so crazy to me when I first came here, and then they had a big story on the news about that, and it can be easily fixed, with umbrella's like every other big city. I live out by Haysville, why do I have to travel 30 minutes to go to a lit park? This town is just very unactive, and I guess people who just don't care

Pools: Prove to me you NEVER see lifeguard's outside without umbrella's in EVERY large city at EVERY pool.

Parks: Did you even read my post or go to the links I provided? You throw around words as if they are fact when in fact you have no proof of, well, anything. If you are frustrated by something, contact the city, not forums. I don't mean to sound rude, I'm just frustrated by pointless and useless posts and threads about Wichita.

[elwood1964]

Your not the sharpest blade in the drawer. I live in Wichita and have lived in California, and all over this country. Wichita is an urban area, it is not a city. Park and Rec here is a joke. Culture is non existant. You know it is bad when you have to go to Oklahoma for culture. No water usage plan. No environmetal plan. All the restaurants are chains. One of the most racially divided cities in the US.....I am sure you make James Dobson proud. And to think this started out about parks.

[Nameless]

Being from Oklahoma I'm no expert on Wichita. But, aren't the park hours past 4pm during the warmer months? Most of the time it's too cold after 4 in the winter to be outside without bundling up anyway.

[athfo]

Originally Posted by Nameless

Being from Oklahoma I'm no expert on Wichita. But, aren't the park hours past 4pm during the warmer months? Most of the time it's too cold after 4 in the winter to be outside without bundling up anyway.

You are indeed correct. I think most of the 100+ parks have varying hours, like any other city, but in general, parks have shorter open hours during winter months. This is true for Watson Park as well: City of Wichita - OJ Watson Park Main.

[cjones15]

As an outsider who is getting ready to move to Wichita, if these are your only complaints then I would be pretty happy!!!