Irate parents and fidgety children packed the Columbia Association headquarters to defend the Lake Elkhorn playground ? and their voices were heard.
“It was a good expression of our local democracy,” said Dick Krantz, one of more than 40 Columbia residents who compelled the association?s board to rescind its vote to close the tot lot on Cradlerock Way in Columbia.
Leading up to Wednesday?s special meeting about the tot lot, residents barraged the association with e-mails and submitted two petitions, collected by Krantz and Columbia resident Deborah Morehouse, totaling 820 signatures.
The two hours of resident testimony often got out of hand; there were angry outbursts and some banged on tables.
“The logic that went into this was as asinine as any logic could be. You people screwed up royally,” said Columbia resident and grandfather James Spinnler, prompting cheers, shouts and applause from the crowd.
“Welcome to the Soviet Socialist state of Columbia!” Columbia dad Eric Benfer shouted from his seat, as two of his young daughters played in the audience.
When the board had its turn to speak, many members apologized for the body?s June 12 decision to close the playground immediately, citing the angry response from residents.
“I apologize for it; I think it was wrong, and I want to correct it,” said Board Member Pearl Atkinson-Stewart, who made the motion to rescind the vote.
The association had debated for nine months about whether to install a fence to protect children at the playground, where 2-year-old Alex Ferrera drowned in nearby Lake Elkhorn after wandering away from his caregiver.
Parents acknowledged the depth of the tragedy, but maintained their right to bring their children to the playground.
“You have demonstrated unbelievable disrespect to the young families of Columbia. I cannot understand what you are thinking,” said Amy Campbell, a Columbia mother.
