• By the Advocate Editorial Board
• Originally published July 7, 2010 at 5:45 p.m., updated July 7, 2010 at 5:45 p.m.

The city's new location to set off Fourth of July fireworks was great. We've had overwhelming feedback, praising the location and show. And it only promises to get better.

However, some complaints were made, including floating embers over Park Stone subdivision, trash left at Ethel Lee Tracy Park, where the fireworks were set off, and traffic congestion.

Doug Cochran, the city's director of Parks & Recreation Department, said he is planning an action report meeting to assess what could be done differently to address the problems.

He said the mall area, where the public was asked to view the show, was cleaned up the night of the event by 1:30 a.m. The park was cleaned up by Tuesday morning because city workers were off on Monday to observe the Fourth of July holiday. "We wanted to keep costs down," Cochran said.

Cochran said he would be conferring with Zambelli International Fireworks representatives to determine why the embers made it to the Park Stone subdivision. He said a safety perimeter of 600 to 800 feet is required around where the fireworks are set off.

This was one of the reasons the fireworks show was moved to Ethel Lee Tracy Park. At the community center, private buildings were within the 600-foot safety perimeter, not to mention the community center, JC Hall, barn, private storage units and the U.S. Army Reserve building. "We were having to tell people they couldn't go on private property, and that's a problem," Cochran said.

Lighting also was a security issue. "Lighting at the community center in the grounds area is very dark, and it posed a grounds problem," he said.

And the final reason was the proximity of the new sports complex to where the fireworks were set off near the community center. Cochran said the winds were erratic after Hurricane Alex and could have blown embers on the canvas and plastic coverings at the sports complex.

On the other hand, Sunday's Fourth of July fireworks show had a great turnout. Cochran said the mall has a capacity for 3,400 vehicles. At least half of that was packed behind the mall. But more people saw the show than just the folks who parked at the mall. "A lot of people were using satellite parking lots, including Home Depot, Kamins, Academy and some even parked along Loop 463," Cochran said.

One other plus for the new location is that rain and mud won't be an issue as it was at the community center.

Also to be discussed with Hartman Distributing would be a consideration to rope off a larger area at the mall for pedestrians only. Cochran said games could be added for youth in that area next year.

Turning the mall's lampposts off during the show also will be discussed, but Cochran said that might be a safety issue. And traffic and parking will be addressed, as well.

We think this first year to have the fireworks in a different spot has been successful, and we think the location is fine. But the city should listen to residents and take all suggestions into consideration. We look forward to another great show next Independence Day, and we are confident that first-year issues will be worked out.

This editorial reflects the views of the Victoria Advocate's editorial board.

• Print
• •
• Share
  • Share this item

    Send this to a friend

    Share on FaceBook

  • Grab the link

    Copy and paste the link:

  • Blog about it

    Blog about this page.

  • Close
• •
• 4 Comments
• •
• Favorite
• •
• Report error
  • Thank you for your submission.
    Error report or correction

    Contact name (optional) Contact phone/e-mail (optional)  

    
  • Close
• •