The tinkling bells of the neighborhood ice cream truck could be history at Peachtree City's four pool sites if recreation officials can link recent episodes of kids throwing up in the pools with eating ice cream pops prior to swimming.

Banning stops by the familiar white truck at the city's pools was “thought about” last week, according to Randy Gaddo, director of leisure services for Peachtree City, following a “spate of children throwing up in the pools,” forcing three pools to close for the mandatory 24-hour period.

“The manager at Kedron [pools] noticed that right after the ice cream truck came, the children got sick,” Gaddo said. “We talked about it [banning ice cream truck stops], but taking ice cream away from the kids would cause more problems,” Gaddo added. “I think it was coincidental that it happened and I have not detected a trend in the two years I've been here.”

He said he and the pool managers are taking a “wait and see” approach.

Gaddo said the truck stopping at the Kedron Aquatic Center has been asked this week to park in a spot that would allow for safer sidewalk access for children buying treats, and eliminate traffic congestion. Prior to the city's request, Gaddo said the truck created a safety problem, causing children to run out in the road to buy ice cream and forcing cars entering the parking lot to squeeze past.

Lifeguards at the city's pools are also cracking down on patrons eating on the pool decks. “It's been a long-standing rule,” Gaddo said, prohibiting food within the fenced pool areas. “There's a problem with the food wrappers; the wrappers get into the pump system,” he said, causing costly pump repairs. He also noted that people get careless. “It can get messy,” Gaddo said.

Tresa Lingler, a Peachtree City mom who frequents Glenloch pool with her daughter during the summer, was told last week that no food was allowed in the pool area after she opened up her Cheetos and soft drink. “I was told we would have to go outside the gate to eat it,” Lingler said.

“If that's the case, then they need to get a designated spot with a picnic table and a trash can,” Lingler suggested. “You can't expect children to go to the pool for several hours without having something to eat.”

Gaddo said the city placed tables at Kedron and will have a table soon at Glenloch. “Pebble Pocket has that nice grassy area away from the pool where you can eat,” Gaddo observed.

Drinks not contained in glass bottles are allowed at the pools. Receptacles for aluminum cans and all other trash are provided near the drink machines.

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