I would like to provide one more comment about Takena wading pool. I was out of town when the pool closed so I was unable to see what other comments were brought up.

We have a 5 year old and Twin 2 year olds. The Takena wading pool was the only “safe” cool off spot that my wife could take our kids by herself. My wife tried Swanson cool pool but found it crowded, chaotic, and quite frankly dangerous for her to keep track of three kids under 6. I know the staff is higly trained and watchful for the children at the Cool Pool. At Takena this was not a problem.

Next summer my wife will not be able cool off anywhere in Albany that we believe to be “safe” for our three young kids with one parent.

I hope someday in the future a fountain or something can be built somewhere in the city that will provide a safe cooling off spot for parents of little ones. Especially single parents in charge of multiple young children.

One other thing that Takena provided for my wife was a social outlet. Being new to Albany and busy with young ones we’ve found it difficult to find freinds here. Every time my wife went to the wading pool she would meet someone (usually they would have something in common–young kids). We also live in the neighborhood so we met folks who are neighborhs and we hope to see them again. This is an intangible that the Cool Pool doesn’t really provide.

I understand the budget issues, but thought that some personal insight might help you understand why some parents will miss Takena wading pool so much.

Thanks,

Barry