Dirty brown puddles at a popular Grasmere park have some parents concerned about what’s lurking in the water and they want it addressed now that school is out for the summer. NY1’s Lindsay Tuchman filed the following report.
A giant pool of dirty water sits right in the middle of a Grasmere park.
Naple's Playground is a popular spot for kids, especially being right behind PS 48.
Nicole Crawford said standing water builds up every time it rains, and it doesn’t go away for weeks.
"Depending on how bad the storm or the rain was this is the outcome of it,” she said. “And it just wouldn't go down the drain and it'll dry up."
Crawford's two children, Jaylon and Timia play in the park, and she said she's worried for the summer months. The water also smells very badly.
"You try to keep the kids from going into it, but it's hard, they run into it, they see water, they're only children, they think it's playtime,” she said. “But we as parents know it's very risky."
"We used to play on the grass here, we used to run up and down and play tag and stuff,” Crawford’s 11-year-old daughter Timia Gustus said. “And now since the water's here our feet are going to get soaking..."
Plus, the only drinking fountain is clogged as well.
"It's not healthy, it's a safety concern,” Crawford said. “And I just want something done, resolved."
Crawford and other parents said they've called 311 several times, but have yet to see any action.
"They need to unclog whatever is making this happen, you see the bugs flying around, the mosquitos,” PS 48 mother Jenine Rodriquez said. “They need to do a whole lot of things, water fountain, a whole bunch of things, it's disgusting."
NY1 asked the Parks Department about the issue. A spokesperson explained that sporadic ponding can occur after heavy rain and they will be inspecting the site once schools are closed to determine a plan.
Until then though, parents and kids alike wait for a remedy and hope it comes before the next storm.