Objections by a couple of village board members notwithstanding, Oak Park — all communities, in fact — need public toilets. They are common in European cities today, as well as in just about every national, state, and city park anywhere in our country and beyond.
They have a long history. Tour guides sometimes make that point, for example in the ruins of ancient Rome and Ephesus, informing tourists that they are examples of municipal sewage systems that flushed wastes away 2,000 years ago. No outhouses for them. They are not just a modern amenity.
The fact that the proposed units here are portable should allay the fears of doubters. No brick-and-mortar buildings are proposed. If it turns out to be a failed experiment, they can simply be removed or shifted to a different location. A redo is always a ready alternative. But wherever it is placed, it’s not just an option; it’s a necessity.
Fred Reklau
Oak Park
