SAN ANTONIO – In the first month it's been open, Pearsall Park has quickly become a popular summertime destination for local families. Many visitors are drawn to the Southwest Side park's splash pad. But some families are raising concerns about the water feature after their children got sick.
Some of those families reached out to the Defenders in hopes of getting some answers from the city of San Antonio.
Melissa Lopez said she and her 1-year-old son got sick after they visited the park on June 28.
"He started getting a fever, like 102 degrees, and the next day he started getting a rash," Lopez said. "I had just kind of a flu-like feeling, like fever, sore throat, just kind of blah feeling."
Doctor's diagnosed her son Jaxson with a case of hand, foot, and mouth disease. According to the Centers For Disease Control, HFMD "is a common viral illness that usually affects infants and children younger than 5 years old. However, it can sometimes occur in adults. Symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease include fever, mouth sores and a skin rash."
Lopez is convinced Jaxson picked it up at the park.
"When I started feeling sick, and then I noticed he was sick, I noticed it had to have been from the park because we hadn't been anywhere else," Lopez said. "The doctor said you usually get it from being around other kids. I've had them in the house all summer since I just had a baby. That (trip to the park) was actually the first place I've taken them in a public environment."
Myra Garcia's 11-month-old son, Zarius, is still fighting a case of HFMD. He was diagnosed after visiting the park on July 8.
"A day after we left Pearsall Park, he started off with a fever and from there he got the rash on his fingers," Garcia said. "He's got sores all over, inside and outside of his mouth. He's having a lot of trouble eating."
These mom's aren't alone. A few other parents have been sharing concerns on the park's Facebook page, describing similar illnesses their children came down with after visiting Pearsall Park. Some were concerned the water wasn't being properly sanitized.
When the Defenders visited the park Thursday afternoon, they saw a large sign posted, warning visitors not to drink the water or to get in if they have any illnesses or open sores. A city worker was also spotted adding what appeared to be liquid chlorine into the filtration system.
The city said it had not received any complaints about anyone getting sick from the equipment at the park.
In a statement to the Defenders, Janet Martin, assistant director of Parks and Recreation for San Antonio, said, "Pearsall Park has been a wonderful addition to San Antonio and we want to make sure people are enjoying the facility and all of its new amenities.
"We were notified by a patron this morning of a potential water quality issue. We took immediate action and tested the water, which came back safe. The system automatically regulates for chlorine and pH levels. We will additionally monitor it daily as an extra precaution.
"Since its grand reopening, Pearsall Park has welcomed a record number of visitors. We encourage all patrons to help us keep this facility in great condition by following park and splash pad rules.
"We encourage people to call 311 or the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department at (210) 207-8480 if they have any questions or concerns.”
Lopez said she hopes the city figures out the issue. Until then, she has no plans to take her kids back to the park.
"That shouldn't be something you should be worried about when you take your kids out to the park," she said.
To avoid getting HFMD, the CDC recommends the following:
- Washing your hands often with soap and water
- Disinfecting dirty surfaces and soiled items
- Avoiding close contact such as kissing, hugging, or sharing eating utensils or cups with infected people