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Article
Courtesy of Channel Local 6 By
Mike Holfeld Published
April 2, 2011
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VIDEO
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EDGEWATER,
Fla. -- A Central Florida homeowners
association is preparing to vote on banning children from playing outside.
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The
revamped rules and regulations are being considered by the HOA
at the Persimmon Place subdivision on North Ridgewood Avenue in
Edgewater. The neighborhood consists of 48 townhomes surrounded
by a parking lot and little room for children to play.
"I
think it's ridiculous. I think the kids should be allowed to
play," a resident said.
"I
think people forgot what it was like to be a kid and want to go
outside and play," said resident Shawna Magee, who is
fighting the proposal. |
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Children
playing in the Persimmon Place subdivision.
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The
HOA board said the proposed rule, which will carry a $100 fine for every
violation, is all about safety.
"They
came in and rented (a home) in a community that does not have a playground and
is not conducive to children. Then they expect the children to play in the
driveways and parking lot. You wouldn't see them playing the parking lot at
Walmart or Kmart, but they come here and turn the children loose," said
HOA board member Kim Scott.
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Scott
said she recently spotted a girl playing on top of power meters while
unsupervised.
"I
ran quickly to the mother, and said, 'Ma'am, please get your child before she
gets hurt.' Her response was, 'I don't have to. My child can do what she
wants,'" Scott said.
The
proposal states that "minor children will be under the direct control of
a responsible adult at all times," and it would also ban the game of tag,
skateboarding, Big Wheels, loud or obnoxious toys on "common
property."
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"You
think there is an agenda behind this?" Local 6 reporter Mike Holfeld
asked Magee.
"Absolutely.
They've been trying to restrict the kids from doing different things for as
long as I've been here, but we have always had our voices heard. It just
wasn't that way this time," she said.
For
now, the children can play outside without restriction, but the HOA board will
meet with an attorney on Thursday, and the final rules and bylaws will be
given to every resident before the April 27 vote.
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