edge-casehygiene
What if the restroom is disgusting?
Quick answer
Use it anyway if it's an emergency, change diapers on a portable changing pad you brought, or drive to the nearest fast-food restaurant or library for a cleaner option. Report severe restroom conditions to parks department through the posted number — bathroom funding is often separate from splash pad funding.
Park restrooms vary wildly in cleanliness, and bad ones are common at older or under-funded splash pads. If it's an emergency, use what's there but skip surface contact: hover, no skin to seat, hand sanitizer for everything. For diaper changes, bring a portable changing pad or use the back seat of your car rather than a grimy fold-down. For a non-emergency, find a backup: most splash pads are 5-10 minutes from a Starbucks, McDonald's, library, or grocery store with cleaner restrooms. Plan ahead by mapping a 'clean bathroom' near each pad you visit. Report severe conditions (broken plumbing, vandalism, no soap or paper for days) through the city 311 line or parks department number — bathroom maintenance is often a separate budget line and complaints actually move it.