First, it is OPA's policy that Recs and Parks counselors are NOT to bring children to the ramps under any conditions because of safety concerns. Because of turnover among the counselors, etc. this rule has been violated from time to time in past years. Each time any of my neighbors or I see this situation we notify Recs and Parks and the children are normally herded off immediately.

The danger presented by the toddlers being brought down there goes beyond the immediate safety issues while they are there (no life vests, guard rails, etc.). It implants in the minds of these children that "playing at the ramps" must be okay because we did it when we under the care of OPA. These children will feel no hesitation to come down there on their own when they are a couple of years older.

Children were at the ramps with OPA camp counselors on 7/7. I immediately notified someone at Recs and Parks and they said the children should not be there and they were herded off soon after I called. I spoke with the manager of Recs and Parks (Sonya) on 7/9 at which time she reiterated that the children should never be at the ramps while under the care of OPA.

The pictures I posted were taken the next day (7/10). I have other pictures from 7/10 showing boats at the ramps while the children were there. One picture, which I did not post showed all the toddlers on the ramp but no counselor on the ramp with them. That condition only lasted at most about 30 seconds, but that would have been time enough for a kid to fall into the canal. As small as those kids are that may have been a problem.  

I meet with Sonya again later on 7/10 and showed her all the pictures from earlier in the day. She examined the pictures closely and, coincidentally, she pointed out to me that her five year old daughter was among the group at the ramps. She seemed very upset that kids were taken to the ramps a second time in one week. She indicated to me that she was going to take immediate action to make sure every counselor knows not to take the children there. I recommended that she have every counselor sign a statement acknowledging that they understand that taking any children to the ramps at any time under any circumstances is a violation of OPA's rules. She said she thought that was a good idea.

I will be honest and say that I get a little upset with current and past GM's and BoD's brushing off my neighbors and I with the statements like they "monitor" and "poll" activity at these ramps and they know what goes on there. One of our main concerns with the new finger pier scheduled to be installed this fiscal year is that it will appear to be an even safer place to bring kids by the next set of counselors.

Lastly. I have every confidence Sonya is very aware of this situation and will rectify matters.

Other than that, Ocean Pines is a great place to live and play (except at the ramps).   

Gene a.k.a. Boat Ramp Ringsdorf