Crown Center closes fountains to kids (oh, no)
Yael T. AbouhalkahCrown Center abruptly announced Tuesday that a tradition decades old is ending: Children no longer will be allowed to run through the gushing outdoor fountains in the square.
Here are the germane sentences from a Crown Center press release that starts off by talking about all the great family attractions now at the shopping center:
“With the larger crowds, however, has come a growing concern about the safety of adults and children playing in the Crown Center Square Fountain. The increase in visitors also increases the potential for accidents, or for exposure to water-borne health issues in a facility that was never designed or intended to be a public pool.
“That’s why, effective immediately, people will no longer be allowed in the Crown Center Square Fountain. We know this will disappoint many people who have enjoyed a run through the fountains on a hot summer day, but guest safety is our utmost concern. Crown Center Security will ask anyone stepping into the fountains to move to nearby dry areas.”
I have to point out, of course, that children have safely played in the fountain for many years. No outbreak of water-borne diseases has ever been reported.
Plus, with the increased use of Crown Center because of Legoland and the new aquarium, you would think Crown Center would be trying to make itself even more attractive as a place to bring children.
One more caveat, though: Kansas City does not like people running through its fountains, but for good reasons: Wiring and electrical lights in some of the fountains yield the potential for electrical shocks to people tripping over them.
The closing of the Crown Center fountains is a sad day in Kansas City.
Kent Mueller
11 months, 2 weeks agoI believe in safety precautions, but this has the specter of the risk of litigation written all over it. Brought to you by our no cost plaintiffs bar.
Johnathon Busby
11 months, 2 weeks agoThe real problem is that they could have been sued in the first place; parents are responsible for letting their kids play in the fountains. In the absence of the potential litigation, there would have been no reason to close the fountains.
Kent Mueller
11 months, 2 weeks agoJohnathon….we agree on something. You are right.
George Hunsucker
Northland
11 months, 2 weeks agoMaybe our resident litigate can explain how Hallmark has nothing to fear from him and his commrades…
I agree with Kent that this is probably caused by the trial lawyers or it could be a recent suit that opened Hallmark’s eyes to the vulchers(i.e. lawyers) and Hallmark’s vulnerability to lawsuits….
Johnathon Busby
11 months, 2 weeks ago“You are right.”
It’s been known to happen, on occasion. ;)
Dennis Lawrence
11 months, 2 weeks agoSo - No adults w/o kids in Legoland and no kids/adults in fountains
Seems like the same exclusive attitude as always with CC
Kent Mueller
11 months, 2 weeks agoJohnathon…and I’ll let you know when those occasions are ;)
Barbara Heizman
11 months, 2 weeks agoSafety issues,or just too loud/chaotic? I hate it when people don’t say what they really mean.It’s a baby Overland Park…