What Clearwater's Saying: Crest Lake Park Bathrooms Coming Down

City leaders should work to add lights and deter criminal elements at Crest Lake Park rather than destroy the bathrooms, according to some Clearwater Patch readers.

Others agree that they should be destroyed, which is expected to happen within about 30 days after city leaders voted to demolish them and spend up to $9,000 to do so during the City Council meeting Thursday.

Here are some of the comments Clearwater Patch readers shared about the planned bathroom demolition:

"Stop feeding them and start trespassing them and they will go away and put more lights in the park and we can haven our park back. It's pretty simple," Jason Zubov said on Facebook.

Debbie Smith Caligiuri: "Ridiculous... No bathrooms in a children's public park."

Nancy Long-Stiner: "How is eliminating the toilets helping to eliminate the crime? You need to remove the bad elements, not the places they conduct their illicit business. Make the facilities safe for the majority of parj goers"

Others agreed that the restrooms should go.

Lynn Vanz said on Facebook: "Few years ago a child predator was stalking around the park restrooms where some young as 8 years old was attacked and molested.. Also homeless people were using the restrooms as body wash area & leaving the place all dirty god knows what they leave behind public restrooms.. Panara Bread of Clearwater, some may not know this but one of the homeless woman goes in the restroom to bathe herself.. Public Restrooms are not safe and clean anymore as we know, I rather be at the comfort of my home.. unless I have no choice I will find a decent restroom rather then the portable potty or the park restrooms.. Ugh!"

The move is for cost savings, others said:

Laura Thorne: "Taxpayers voted to reduce taxes in 2008. Parks departments have been struggling ever since. This is what you get for reduced taxes- reduced services. Forget the $9000, they are probably saving $ without having to pay someone to clean & lock/unlock that craphole bum station."

Peter Kraus: "I'll destroy those bathrooms for $8,000 and a 12-pack."

Related Coverage:

• Crest Lake Park Bathrooms to Come Down
• Crest Lake Park Bathroom Demolition Vote Set for Thursday
• Crest Lake Park Bathrooms Likely to Be Destroyed
• Crest Lake Park Plans to be Unveiled in March
• Skycrest Neighbors: Open the Bathrooms, Have More Events at Crest Lake Park
• How Can Crest Lake Park Be Improved?
• What Are Your Ideas for Fun at Crest Lake Park?
• Stabbing Sparks Question of Safety at Crest Lake Park
• What Clearwater's Saying: Safety at Crest Lake Park

Sign up for the free Clearwater Patch email newsletter to stay connected to your community.