Surprise residents complain about park's snow cones

Syrupy snow cones are making a mess at Surprise's busiest park, leading some residents to complain about the sticky situation.

The city's "Playground of Dreams," located south of Bell Road, off Bullard Avenue across from Surprise Stadium, attracts 1,000 to 1,200 visitors on a busy day, the city reports. It also attracts some ice cream and snow cone vendors looking to capitalize on the crowds.

City officials responded this month to resident complaints that the treats were leading to sticky, messy equipment.

The park's maintenance visits have been increased, and the city also is giving the equipment a monthly steam cleaning, Community and Recreation Services Director Mark Coronado said.

There is no permitting process for vendors selling in the park. Coronado said his department is investigating the creation of a permit that vendors would have to buy in order to continue to sell their goods.

That new policy could be complete in the first quarter of 2009, Coronado said. The fees associated with the permits would partially offset expenses associated with cleaning the equipment.

Coronado also pointed out that city maintenance workers have taken on responsibility for more parklands and open spaces this year, without a corresponding increase of the department's budget. That has resulted in less time to monitor each individual area, he said.

Coronado stressed that the budgetary issue was "not an excuse," but one factor contributing to cleanliness of the park becoming an issue.

As for snow cone consumption, it appears to have dropped off recently with cooler temperatures moving in, Coronado added.