Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

By Helena Tavares Kennedy

Daniel Reddick, born and raised in Prince William County, wanted to stay closer to home, family and his community, so he decided to start his own plumbing, HVAC and electrical business while working as a plumbing manager for a multi-million dollar service company in Northern Virginia. We saw the need for superior, honest tradesman and a higher level of customer service, said Daniel Reddick.

He started with a side business helping close friends, relatives and referrals, but after earning Master licenses in HVAC, Gas Fitter, and Electrical, he was ready to go out on his own and pursue his dream in 2015. His wife Meaghan helped Daniel by managing their home office, but they have since expanded with another full time office person and two additional skilled tradesman working in the field.

Surprisingly, they found that plumbing isnt the bread and butter they thought it would be for their business, as customer demand for HVAC work as increased quite a bit, leading them to have serviced dozens of HVAC replacements.

We have two Master Plumbers, so the plumber that is coming to your home is an expert and has most likely seen every kind of plumbing situation emergency or otherwise, said Meaghan Reddick.

They often go out of their way to help their customers out, even with unusual requests. A recent peculiar project was to install a tankless water heater for a pond for a client who needed to keep his koi fish warm during the winter.

We have hundreds of customers from all over the Prince William region, as well as Loudoun, Fauquier, Fairfax and Arlington, said Meaghan Reddick. We really want to focus on Prince William area customers, since we love feeling the connection of having our neighbors as clients.

What makes Reddick and Sons stand apart from the rest is their incredible talent in the field and in the office with high levels of professionalism, knowledge and customer service. With a lack of skilled tradespeople in the market right now, we are quickly facing a crisis said Meaghan Reddick. If our youth are not trained in plumbing, HVAC, electrical, then who will be serving our future Prince William area? Our country? Our world? We are building a business that can serve your family for generations, so we stay one step ahead in order to keep up with the changing demands in our industry- especially for more energy efficient systems.

We are a family business, we want our clients to feel comfortable and trusting of us, said Meaghan Reddick, and for good reason as their business is named for the future of their company, Daniel and Meaghans young sons. We feel incredibly lucky that our business took off and is growing and thriving in this region. We have incredible clients that share their experiences and have directly impacted the growth of our business. Our desire is to keep our clients safe and happy serving their basic needs.

This family owned business goes beyond serving clients and go out of their way to support the local community and organizations. We love to be active in our community and would love other opportunities to do so, said Meaghan Reddick. Currently, we sponsor a Babe Ruth team at the Greater Manassas Baseball League; Danny is the President of the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors Association (PHCC) Northern VA chapter; and I am the VP for the Prince William Historic Preservation Foundation.

Helena Tavares Kennedy ([emailprotected]), a longtime Prince William County resident, is a freelance writer and communications consultant at htkmarketingservices.com and livinggreendaybyday.com.

Read more from the original source:
Reddick & Sons Serve Customers and Community - Prince William Living (press release) (blog)

Posted: Jul. 3, 2017 10:10 pm Updated: Jul. 3, 2017 10:42 pm

QUINCY -- A $140,000 adjustment to Quincy's fiscal 2018 budget got a first hearing during Monday night's Quincy City Council meeting.

Director of Administrative Services John "Skip" Bright said the bookkeeping adjustment was needed to account for replacement of windows at City Hall.

"The original budgeted amount for window replacement was to have been completed during the last fiscal year," Bright said. "It didn't get completed because of some remediation requirements and we forgot to carry over the amount" into this fiscal year.

The original contract for replacement windows was approved at $184,100. But A. Fischer Builders Inc. found a small amount of asbestos in the caulk around the first window removed. That triggered federal rules that required an abatement contractor, and the City Council approved a $14,645 adjustment to the window contract in April.

Work on the project continued, but it was not completed until after the new fiscal year began in May.

Also on Monday, the City Council tabled for three weeks an ordinance involving a no-parking area planned on Holford Drive. Alderman Mike Rein, R-5, said he wants to meet with two homeowners to seek a suitable resolution.

Aldermen also voted to buy oil products from Big River Oil Co. of Hannibal for $18,302.

A maintenance contract valued at $7,100 was renewed with Cellebrite USA Inc. of Glen Rock, N.J. The contract covers the Ultimate Touch Mobile Forensic Solution, which is used by the Quincy Police Department.

The council also voted to buy $4,220 in fire hose from Municipal Emergency Services.

Aldermen drafted ordinances to allow for the vacation of an alley in Block 9 of Holmes and Woods Addition, a special permit to allow a truck loading addition at 2311 Broadway, and a special permit to build a 41-by-84-foot building at 620 S. 10th.

The council agreed with Plan Commission endorsement of subdividing and allowing a self-storage facility at 3201 Locust.

Plans for rezoning property at 5503 State were tabled indefinitely when the property owner dropped plans for a project there.

More here:
Budget adjustment for fiscal 2018 made for Quincy City Hall window replacement project - Herald-Whig

R.J. Marx/The Daily Astorian

Vacasa rental sign on a Gearhart home.

R.J. Marx/The Daily Astorian

The ballot initiative seeking to repeal Gearharts short-term rental rules.

GEARHART Voters in November will get to decide the fate of Gearharts vacation rental rules.

The bid to repeal and replace the regulations issued last fall gathered enough valid signatures to put the measure on the ballot.

The initiative was presented to the City Council Wednesday night. City councilors had three options: pass the repeal and replace ordinance; reject the ordinance and allow voters to decide in November; or reject the ordinance and come up with a competing alternative.

The council unanimously voted to reject the ordinance and put it on the ballot.

We fully expected the City Council to reject our ordinance, Jim Whittemore, who owns a short-term rental property, said Thursday. Now it is on the ballot. We submitted 242 signatures, which is significant.

According to the revised summary, submitted by David Townsend, Brian and Joy Sigler and Sarah Nebeker, the ballot measure would repeal the special regulations on vacation rentals related to off-street parking, residential appearance, garbage service, septic-sewer capacity inspections and cesspool requirements not required of other city residents.

Our message will show that we care as much about Gearhart as full-time residents do, Whittemore said. We always have. I think that once residents see how much 82 vacation homeowners pay in property taxes and that we will pay close to $50,000 a year for police and fire services, which equates to $500,000 over the next 10 years that our vacation rental ordinance is far more beneficial to the city and the residents of Gearhart than the current ordinance.

Some elements of the original ballot initiative prepared by the city are retained in the rewritten summary, including a vote on future short-term rental zoning amendments, safety inspections and permit fees.

A responsible cap

Mayor Matt Brown stood by the citys rules. Our current vacation rental laws are working very well, Brown said. We have a responsible cap while allowing all current vacation rentals to continue to rent. Substandard septic and cesspools are being repaired and replaced, and bedrooms are being updated with fire egresses to protect children, families and our property owners.

Brown said that the ordinance has stimulated more available housing for full-time residents, who choose Gearhart for its quiet residential nature.

The citys rules regulate short-term rental occupancy limits, parking and property management contact information, among other provisions.

Permits are transferable only by inheritance, not by the sale of the property.

Brown said language in the new proposal is very dangerous to the quiet residential nature of the community and against the language in the citys comprehensive plan.

The revised ordinance would eliminate the ability to protect residents from negative impacts, he said, and allows an unlimited number of commercial vacation rentals in residential zones.

According to Brown, the proposal would eliminate septic inspections for high-occupancy rentals and eliminate state certified fire and life safety inspections. I believe its my sworn duty to reject something that could put lives in danger, Brown said.

Headed to vote

City Administrator Chad Sweet said Thursday that 84 Gearhart property owners had registered their homes as short-term rentals.

Gearhart has about 1,400 voters on its rolls, Sweet said. While the deadline has passed for homeowners to apply for short-term rental permits, the city has extended the period for property owners to make improvements required by the citys current ordinance. Window replacement or installation for safety egress, septic upgrades, cesspool replacement and other fire and life safety issues comprise the majority of repairs or upgrades needed to meet city standards.

Once the city delivers a notice of election, the initiative will be placed on the Nov. 7 ballot, County Clerk Valerie Crafard said.

Brown said, I am looking forward to our citizens getting the true facts on the differences between our current common-sense vacation rental rules and their new repeal ordinance allowing unlimited commercial vacation rentals. I have the utmost faith that our citizens will decide whats best for the future of our quiet residential community.

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Read the original:
Repeal of Gearhart vacation rental rules heads to voters - Daily Astorian

Jefferson County Schools will use $200,000 in 2017-18 capital projects money to fix the Jefferson County High baseball stadium.

The work was unanimously approved during last weeks school board meeting, on motions from Anne Marie Potts and Dusty Cox.

Deteriorating concrete under the main section of seats and the press box is the main issue at the stadium, which has been waiting for attention for a couple of years.

The work will include shoring up the structure using steel and concrete, or a combination of the two. Also included will be new bleachers for the stadium.

Much like the problems at the football stadium that were repaired a few years ago, water has taken its toll on the masonry, seeping in and damaging the block.

In making the motion, Potts took the opportunity to commend the baseball Patriots first-ever run to the state tournament. Were real proud of them, she said.

School Facilities Director Michael Phagan said he had already had been working with structural engineers, and is ready to move forward with the project so that it can be completed before baseball season begins next spring. The work was scheduled last year, but had to be postponed due to more pressing facilities issues.

Phagan also reviewed the status of other projects that were completed last year, or are still in progress.

One of the biggest, costing just under $200,000, is repaving of parking areas at Jefferson County High.

By doing the base preparation work ourselves, will be able to pave the entire parking lot, including the band pad, Phagan told the board. Weve been down there for weeks, putting in the new base, and fixing storm drains.

Paving at JCHS should begin on July 10, Phagan said.

Another project at JCHS, installation of the lift system at the James D. Swann Performing Arts Center, is scheduled for September. Because bids came in under budget, board members were able to shift $113,000 to White Pine School, to be used on a new gym floor.

Bids for that project will go out soon, Phagan indicated, after officials worked out an ADA/fire code issue.

Phagan also reported that renovation of White Pine Schools kitchen is on schedule, and barring any unforseen delays should be completed by July 31. In response to a question, he said the portable classroom building that was used last year for the transfer of food to the school from Talbott will be converted back to classrooms. Another portable leased for classrooms will be returned, he indicated.

Window replacement at seven different schools will begin in August, and should be completed by the first of the year, Phagan added.

In other action during last Tuesdays meeting, the board:

Approved end-of-year budget adjustments, recognizing additional funds and cleaning up line items in preparation for the annual audit;

Approved the use of the Jefferson County Fairgrounds on September 1, by Carson-Newman University for a Boot Scoot;

Approved membership dues of $4,500 for 2017-18 to Tennessee School Systems for Equity; and

Gave final approval to updates on several school board policies.

See the original post:
Baseball stadium repairs approved by school board - The Standard Banner

John Penney jpenney@norwichbulletin.com, (860) 857-6965 jpenneynb

KILLINGLY Work on three Killingly school roofs is expected to begin later this month and be completed before students return in the fall.

On Wednesday, the towns Building Committee accepted the low bids submitted for the replacement of the Killingly Memorial School and for a partial roof replacement at the Goodyear Early Education Center. The committee did not accept bids for work at the Killingly Central School, though it is expected to do so on Monday.

All the bids were well under what we expected, Community Development Director Mary Bromm said. Thats likely due to companies not having a lot of these major projects scheduled for this summer.

A $1.01 million bid from Hartford Restoration Services was selected for the Killingly Memorial School work, while a $226,000 bid is expected to be awarded to the Cromwell-based Imperial Company Restoration Services.

Residents in February approved a $6.25 million bonding package for school roof and window work, with 70 percent of the cost expected to be reimbursed by the state. Bromm said the planned window replacements wont begin until next year.

That kind of work falls into a separate category that requires legislative approval for reimbursement funding, she said. We should get an answer back by July 2018.

If the final cost of the project is less than the approved bonding figure, officials will simply not bond the entire amount, though the full anticipated costs must have been previously approved by taxpayers.

All three roofs are more than 20 years old and past their recommended lifespan, said Paul Mailhot, supervisor of operations and maintenance for the school district.

"There's been deterioration from (ultra-violet) light and general wear-and-tear from snow and rain over the last two decades," he said. "The rubber membranes are pulling away and we're getting cracks that constantly need patching. Anytime there's a big storm, we're patching and repairing those areas so water doesn't seep inside the buildings."

Residents in February also approved spending up to $3.2 million for several projects at the community center, including exterior brick re-painting, bathroom and locker room renovations and window work.

A portion of that money about $1 million - would be set aside to replace the nearly 100-year-old pipes running through Town Hall. Another $1.8 million was approved for upcoming bridge and culvert replacement, half of which is reimbursable by the state.

Link:
Bids for work on Killingly school roofs 'well under' expectations - Norwich Bulletin

Its funny how a seemingly inconspicuous moment can forever alter the course of someones future.

Just under a year ago Noemi Perez and her two sons, 12-year-old Ventura and 5-year-old Dominic, were living out of boxes on the floor at the Virginian Apartments.

Last Monday the family finally moved into secure affordable housing, available for at least four years, thanks to a random but growing group of community-minded volunteers looking to revitalize Jacksons small-town feel one household at a time.

As their neighbors at the Virginian were evicted to make way for a renovations last year, Perez scrambled to find a new home in Jackson, fearful that she would have to uproot her family and send her boys back to Mexico to live with their grandmother as she continued to work and save money here.

We had nowhere to go, she said. It was very stressful. I cried enough when we had to send our dog Charlie back to Mexico. I couldnt bear the thought of not having Dominic and Ventura with me.

Their fortunes changed while standing around a folding table dispensing lemonade in Phil Baux Park.

I call it my magic lemonade stand, said Wren Fialka, founder of the Spread the Love Commission, a nonprofit that worked with the Perez family to find them stable housing. When I first started going to some of the meetings about housing, everybody was bumping heads. I said, Lets just go do something and lets see whats possible. The response from the community has been truly amazing. Its been one miracle after another, and it all started with the lemonade stand.

Though Fialka has run the Spread the Love Commission for years, it largely focused on providing goods to homeless communities in larger cities like Denver, Salt Lake City and Los Angeles. But during a housing march last July, Fialka heard families speak about their struggles here in Jackson and decided to refocus her efforts closer to home.

Unsure of exactly how to help, Fialka started by hosting a weekly lemonade stand at Phil Baux Park to raise money and awareness for the cause.

While the money helped, what families like the Perezes really needed was a house. As Noemi Perezs search for a new home stretched from days into weeks, she began to consider the possibility of sending her boys back to Mexico.

But I felt in my heart that something good was going to happen, she said. I truly believed it, even during the hard times, because we had such amazing people around us.

The next day, just one day before Ventura and Dominic were scheduled to leave on a bus headed to Mexico, Jackson homeowner Jessica Chambers and her husband, Reed, came to the lemonade stand and mentioned they had an unfinished basement that, with some renovation, could be used to temporarily house the family until the winter. By themselves, however, they were struggling to find the time or money to remodel the space and make it livable.

A lightbulb flashed above Fialkas head.

Immediately she began reaching out to friends in search of volunteers to help in the renovation. Within a couple of days she had a crew of volunteers, a number of businesses willing to donate materials and a plan to move forward.

Though many of the volunteers were far from skilled laborers, everyone did as much or as little as they could.

Jackson Lumber donated drywall and wood flooring. Carpenters volunteered time. Friends painted and sanded. Neighbors offered the use of their trucks. Others donated beds, refrigerators, furniture and clothing. Some simply left a check to help pay for food and other necessities.

This is a win-win for everybody, Chambers said. Were helping the Perez family, but others are helping our family [remodeling our basement]. It takes a village.

In all, Fialka said, 45 people contributed to the cause in some fashion, and two weeks after their meeting at the lemonade stand the Perezes were out of the Virginian Apartments and moved into the Chambers basement.

It was one of the happiest moments of my life, Noemi Perez said. I didnt care where we were or how small it was, just as long as we were able to stay together.

With free labor and cheap materials the Chamberses were able to finish their basement for pennies on the dollar, and, as a result the Perez family was given free rent for the summer.

We manage to manifest all kinds of things for ourselves, even when were not noticing it, Fialka said. If you walk by somebody who looks like theyre having a hard day, ask him how hes doing. Do whatever your comfort level dictates. Buy him a cup of coffee, give him a fist bump, give him a hug. Just start there and that one tiny little thing will create a domino effect.

As word spread, Fialkas list of donators and volunteers grew by the day. One of them, Cindy Budge, initially contacted Fialka to donate appliances. When she came to drop off a refrigerator and saw what was going on, she immediately bought in.

Ive been watching the housing market in Jackson closely going on 15 years saying we have to do something different, she said. Everyone talks about Jackson changing, but Jacksons changed so many times over the years, whos to say enough is enough?

What I miss the most is the community, she said. For people to not be able to find a place to live and have to live in their cars, that is not community. Those people are homeless, and we as a community are saying not my problem.

Despite being as old-time Jackson as it comes, Budge has spurned the idea of no growth and has welcomed change, happy to share this beautiful valley with all who come.

She had been renovating half of her duplex in East Jackson but became sick and had to stop. With volunteer labor, she was able to complete the project and begin to make use of the space. In exchange for the free labor Budge deducted $25 per volunteer hour from the Perez familys rent. As it currently stands the family will get $100 off their rent each month for the next four years.

This is not a charity, Budge said. This is a way of thinking out of the box and trying to come up with some different solutions.

Its a business for me, and I got good value from this, she said, but on the other side of it, money isnt necessarily what drives all of us. Ideally this will motivate other people to think outside of the box to come up with other ways to help out. Until we start addressing the commercial growth going on here with addressing housing, were going to continue to have problems.

Since leaving the Virginian Apartments last September, Perez and her sons have moved three times. Their most recent move, into Budges house, is likely to be the last they will have to endure for years to come.

Its a huge relief, Perez said. I think were all still in shock and havent had a chance to relax and let it sink in. We just feel so lucky to have such amazing people around us. Theyre our angels, and they will always be a part of us. We truly feel a part of this community and like we are valued here. This is my home. Hopefully we can continue doing this for other families.

With the Perez family in secure housing, Fialka and the Spread the Love Commission can focus on building a foundation on which to expand. She has a network of some 70 volunteers and donors from all corners of Jackson, but she needs more.

As a fairly spontaneous creation the Spread the Love Commission had very little outside funding. Fialka basically emptied her savings account including the money she saved for the down payment on a house of her own to see this project through to the end. With nonprofit status she is now focused on building a more fully formed organization to support her efforts supporting others.

This is the only thing I want to do anymore, Fialka said. This is what Ive been searching for my entire life.

For the first time this spring Spread the Love Commission will be part of Old Bills Fun Run for Charities, which will begin collecting donations Aug. 1. Those interested in donating can do so at CFJacksonHole.org/old-bills. Information about the organization can be found at SpreadLoveByGiving.org.

Original post:
Family finds a place to live with help of volunteers - Jackson Hole News&Guide

WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP The owner of 1 Bald Eagle Island is making substantial improvements to the property through use of his company, Landucci Homes.

According to Nathan Landucci, the remodel started as a window and siding replacement project with plans to replace interior cabinets, trim and floor coverings. As construction ensued, Landucci said he couldnt ignore the potential of the property and knew that everything in the home deserved replacement.

Stillwater-based Landucci Homes specializes in building and remodeling high-end homes. Its claim to fame is hyper-detailed luxury construction, making the choice clear to perform a full and total remodel/restoration of the home.

The restored home is going to be indistinguishable from a brand new home but even better, due to the robust commercial construction-grade materials, design and over-engineered components in the homes foundation and structure, noted the owner. This home is a real diamond in the rough, but not for long since the completion date is slated for mid-June 2018.

A full restoration of the existing structure is approved and a few changes are currently being proposed, which will add to the functionality of living on the island, he added. On Thursday, July 6, the Town Board is slated to review the following four proposed changes:

An existing basement foundation (south facing) is proposed to add a main floor and a partial upper level above the existing foundation so that it matches the house, also providing a more functional layout.

Three south-facing triangle windows are to be removed and squared off, enhancing the exterior elevation and creating a more usable lower level.

A front entry/stoop on the house is proposed where one previously did not exist.

An addition is proposed to the existing garage on the north side of the island for easier egress to the home from the shore, removing the current steep wooden ramp.

This fall, hydro-seeding of low fescue grass and wildflowers will take place on the steep slopes. There are also preliminary plans to replace the septic system within two years due to its noncompliance.

We are excited to put the home back together in a way that is more conducive to the times, Landucci noted. This house is a real beacon; its an important feature of Bald Eagle Lake and the White Bear area; so Im glad we are restoring it the right way.

When asked how he's enjoying island life, Landucci said, It's great; really private with nice views. Watching the sailboats is enjoyable and there's little noise.

He's using a barge to transport materials and trash back and forth to the property. Ramsey County granted permission last month to use an access on West Bald Eagle Boulevard for mooring the floating platform.

Read the original post:
Bald Eagle Island home undergoing major remodel - White Bear Press

Gathering of mosquitoes in Draper test positive for West Nile Virus (File photo: MGN Online)

(KUTV) A group of mosquitoes in Draper have tested positive for West Nile Virus, according to the Salt Lake County Health Department.

In a Facebook post Wednesday, the city of Draper announced the finding and said there were no confirmed cases of West Nile Virus among humans.

This is the first group of mosquitoes to test positive, and the city says more could be infected across the city.

The announcement comes before one of the city's biggest annual outdoor events: Draper Days.

The city is warning residents to be cautious and protect themselves from bugs.

The city will hand out mosquito repellent before most Draper Days events, but also recommends the following steps be taken:

Use a mosquito repellent with DEET, permethrin, picaridin, IR3535 or oil of lemon eucalyptus according to package directions.

Drain standing water in yards (old tires, potted plant trays, pet dishes, toys, buckets, etc.).

Wear long sleeves and pants after dusk.

Keep roof gutters clear of debris.

Clean swimming pools often or drain them.

Clean and stock garden ponds with mosquito-eating fish or mosquito dunks.

Make sure screen doors and window screens are in good condition so that mosquitoes cannot get indoors.

Keep weeds and tall grass cut short; adult mosquitoes look for these shady places to rest during the hot daylight hours.

Most people infected with the virus will show little to no symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. One in five, however, will experience "a fever with other symptoms such as headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea, or rash."

In extreme cases, patients will need to be treated in a hospital.

Read the original here:
Gathering of mosquitoes in Draper test positive for West Nile Virus - KUTV 2News

GREG LOWER

greg@chanute.com

The closing of Chanutes water slide was because of state legislation that stemmed from a fatal accident in Kansas City last year.

Chanute Parks Director Todd Newman told the Parks Advisory Board at its monthly meeting Thursday evening that the local water slide closed Saturday, along with all others more than 15 feet high in the state.

Gov. Sam Brownback signed the Kansas Amusement Ride Act and the Amusement Ride Insurance Act on June 26. The amendments prohibit an amusement park ride operating without a permit issued by the Kansas Department of Labor, which includes water slides at least 15 feet high that use water to propel patrons through the rides.

In August, the 10-year-old son of a Kansas legislator died in an accident at a Kansas City water slide at Schlitterbahn Amusement Park. That slide has since been torn down.

Newman said the KDOL has not hired an inspector to issue permits. The water slide at Chanutes Maring Aquatic Center is about 20 feet high, he said.

Parks board members also discussed the issue of hypodermic needles that had been found in parks, an issue raised at a recent city commission meeting.

Newman said the parks department has dealt with the issue every day for at least two years, and he has talked about it with Police Chief Raymond Hale.

The problem of needles in parks is random around the city and not confined to particular areas, board members said, and it is not unique to Chanute.

Theres a lot of people using needles, Newman said. Its a scary deal.

Board members agreed it is a matter for police. Although they said they did not want to discourage parents from taking children to the park, nor encourage drug abusers to go to parks, they urged people who find needles to contact the police non-emergency number, (620) 431-5768.

Newman also updated the board about restroom renovations at Santa Fe, Highland and Katy parks. The Highland and Santa Fe park renovations were approved at the last city commission meeting, and the projects are estimated at about $15,000 per park.

Newman said he talked to Overland Park landscape architect Vance Rzepka, who visited Chanute, about designing new ballfields. Rzepka will have designs by the end of the month and will submit a bid for approval before officials see the plans.

He also updated board members about plans for the Highland Park playground, which will be about 4,000 square feet. Newman said he hopes to keep the Highland Park playground project under $200,000, and hopes to begin work this year and the ball complex the following year.

Board member and city commissioner Jim Chappell raised his concerns about the Chanute Recreation Commissions use of park areas. Board member Jane Brophy presented draft versions of a park brochure.

See more here:
State legislation closes pool's water slide - Chanute Tribune

People gathered at Devils Pool watch a man jump from the rocks above, to the left. (Photo from public YouTube post)

by Emerson Max

On any given hot summer day, scores of people flock to the infamous Devils Pool in Wissahickon Valley Park. While Devils Pool may provide a respite from the blistering heat and humidity of the city, swimming in the pool is illegal, and this is only to ensure the safety of park visitors.

Devils Pool has long been a landmark in the Northwestern region of Philadelphia, but its popularity as a swimming spot has significantly gone up in recent years. Countless people visit the park every day to hike, walk their dogs, or just to enjoy the beautiful natural landscape the park offers, but many are unaware of the hidden swimming hole that so many illegally frequent.

The main reason for prohibiting swimming in Devils Pool is safety. Friends of the Wissahickon (FOW) and Philadelphias Department of Parks and Recreation, who care for the 1,800-acre park, want to encourage visitors to enjoy themselves as long as they are not putting themselves in danger.

Maura McCarthy, executive director of FOW, said that swimming in the pool is extremely unsafe.

There are no lifeguards and it has a rocky stream foundation with loads of buried sediment and debris, she said. That is how a father and son drowned several years ago they became entangled in some immersed debris.

The father and son McCarthy was referring to were Pete Luciano and his 13-year-old son Jordan who drowned in Devils Pool in the Wissahickon Creek. Pete Luciano noticed his son struggling to swim in the creek and jumped in to assist him. Three of Petes other children watched in horror as neither of them surfaced.

Another risk for pool goers is the option to jump from the rocks or the bridge that surround Devils Pool. In 2013, 18-year-old Anthony Cano took a day off from his senior year at Wissahickon High School to visit Devils Pool. Cano decided to be bold and to leap into the water from the bridge that looms more than 50 feet above the pool. Unfortunately, Cano did not land in the right spot, and his bold leap left him almost paralyzed after a month rehabilitating at Einstein Medical Center.

There are much lower areas that people commonly jump from, but this can also prove to be highly dangerous. Water levels at Devils Pool fluctuate, and the pool is often too shallow to safely cushion jumpers falls. There are also jagged rocks and other dangers inside the water, so jumping from any height is an ill-advised decision.

Even casual swimming in Devils Pool can be dangerous.

The water in the Wissahickon Creek is problematic, McCarthy said. It serves as drinking water for the city, but only after it has been treated. In August, when its dry, up to 90 percent of the flow of the Wissahickon can be treated effluent from one of the four upstream treatment plants. At any given time, the water in Devils Pool can be highly polluted and can cause medical complications.

McCarthy also stresses that people should not park on the roads leading up to Devils Pool. This makes it much more difficult for emergency vehicles to get in and out of the park in the event someone needs medical assistance or there is another sort of emergency.

Trash is another major issue for those working to keep Wissahickon Valley Park beautiful and healthy. Ordinarily the park encourages a carry in, carry out policy with trash, but recently there has been a trash crisis at Devils Pool that has even spread to the surrounding areas. The park has been forced to place trash receptacles in this area, which are emptied regularly by a seasonal team of workers who spend about 50 percent of their time dealing with Devils Pool. Were putting a huge amount of effort into the maintenance of the site, McCarthy said, but obviously what we really need is to connect with the users so they are the main participants in maintaining the site.

To reiterate, Friends of the Wissahickon encourages people to visit the park and to enjoy themselves, but they should do so in a way that is safe for themselves and those around them. Swimming in Devils Pool is illegal, although people do it every day, and it is a highly risky and dangerous decision. There are countless public pools in Philadelphia that people can visit instead. A full list of Philly pools can be found at philaparkandrec.tumblr.com.

. Bookmark the

.

See the article here:
With temps rising, FOW reminds park users not to swim in Devil's Pool - Chestnut Hill Local