This is in response to the gentleman that recently wrote about the “coot poop” problem. I’m including a copy of my letter to the parks department and their response dated in December. We have lived directly across the park from the pump house for 10 years now and we have encountered a sidewalk sweeper only once. They must do the work so early in the morning or so late at night that they have avoided our detection.

Copy of Dec. 11, 2014 note I sent the parks department: “I heard there is a sidewalk sweeper somewhere in Fountain Hills. I once heard the city owns one but houses it at Golden Eagle Park. Surely Fountain Park would be able to have it once a week? This bird poop on the sidewalk is getting to be very slippery. None of us can enjoy the view as we have to dodge the mess on the sidewalk.”

Response from them on Dec. 12, 2014: “Dear Ann, there is a Tennant sweeper at Fountain Park and I spoke with the groundskeeper today about sweeping the sidewalks twice a week and every other day when necessary. The overnight irrigation also helps keep the bird poop on the sidewalks to a minimum. Full time staff is there M-F and will do all we can to keep the sidewalks safe and clean.”

The real problem is too many coots. They have reproduced in large numbers this year!