I emailed the manager on 6/15 regarding safety issues and an employee threatening me. Have still not received any response and the gates are all still unattended wide open.
Here is my email:
Good afternoon,
My child is currently attending swim lessons at your facility. This morning during the lesson, I walked into the water park side of the property through the open gate nearest the competition pool. I've never been to this water park and have been contemplating getting season passes for my family of five. The gate was wide open, and there were no signs prohibiting entry. I had seen other parents and families wander into that side days earlier. When I was near the snack bar area I was approached by a park employee who asked if I needed help. I explained that I was just checking out the facility while my child was in their swim lesson. He informed me that the water park side of the property was off limits and no one can be over there because it is not open yet and there are no life guards on duty. I apologized and explained that I wasn't aware seeing as how the gate was open and there were no signs. I was more than willing to leave the area, and was in no way challenging his authority. He then continued on to threaten me, saying that if he sees me over there again he will call the police and have me removed.
His response was completely appalling and inappropriate. If no one is permitted to be on that side of the facility, and especially for liability with access to water, then why are there no signs and why is the gate wide open? There are numerous children there for swim lessons so it is highly irresponsible to leave an unattended gate open like that. There was absolutely no reason to threaten me when I had already apologized, and considering that it is the responsibility of the water park to have the pools secure and prohibited areas clearly designated and inaccessible- the water park management should be the ones being chastised.
I had signed my child up for lessons at your facility and have been overlooking various issues I've witnessed in terms of organization and professionalism of the business because I like to support local businesses. The first day of scheduled class was canceled due to inclement weather. Canceling class for weather conditions is understandable, but a courtesy phone call notifying parents would have been more professional as opposed to relying on parents checking their email. On the first day of swim lessons, the front gates were closed and there was no one to direct parents. It appears that the standard practice is for everyone to walk in through the closed front gates without any permission or instruction from park staff. Then the parents just mill around until the swim instructors show up. The only area that is identified as off limits, is the seating area near the shallow end of the pool. So parents either have to stand alongside the pool near the lockers, or sit on the far side of the competition pool in the bleachers. For young children who may be nervous in the water, being able to look up to see their parents can be very comforting. For whatever reason, your management has decided to block off the area nearest the swim lessons. Clearly, your park staff is capable of making no entry signs, yet there are no signs or secured gates blocking entry into the water park side.
My child has enjoyed swim lessons these first few days, but after my experience today, I have no interest in ever patronizing Drop Zone Water Park or continuing lessons once our session is completed.
Other parents from our youth athletic programs have inquired about swim lessons, other than liking the swim instructor, I have nothing positive to say about our experience at your facility.
I've attached a photo taken this morning of the gate into the water park. It is clearly open and there are no signs prohibiting entry. In the future, all gates should be secured and designated no entry areas should be marked accordingly. Staff should be educated on professionalism and the inappropriateness of making threats against patrons. read more