Raising the Bar my derriere

Raising the Bar on Safety!

Yet again, Seven Peaks is safer than ever in 2009! To meet nationally accepted security standards Seven Peaks will no longer be allowing the following items in the park: *  Outside Food *  Coolers *  Glass *  Knives *  Alcohol, Tobacco, or any other Drugs or Drug Paraphernalia ONE SEALED 24oz WATER BOTTLE WILL BE ALLOWED PER GUEST. While we are not allowing any coolersinside the park, it doesn’t mean you can’t bring them to the park, because you can!We have built a picnic area for our guests conveniently located just north of the front entrance. All guests are allowed to leave and reenter the park as often as they would like.  Exceptions include formula and small snacks for babies and toddlers, as well as snacks required by special health conditions such as diabetes, hypoglycemia, or celiacs.  If you have any questions about this new change please contact us directly atcustomerservice@sevenpeaks.com.

After seeing this posted on the Seven Peaks Water Park website, I wrote the following letter to Seven Peaks protesting their new policy of not letting any food or drinks into the park this year.  

To whom it may concern:

I just want to express my disappointment that you will not be allowing food
or drinks into the park this year.  You claim it is for health purposes, but
I highly doubt that.  How many years have you been open, and just NOW it's a
health concern?
I am afraid that many of my friends with children will no longer be making
Seven Peaks their summer tradition.  There is absolutely no way that a
mother with small children will be able to walk out of the park, go to her
car, get their cooler and go to the "designated" area just to give her child
a fruit snack.

I will be sharing this disappointing news with everyone I know.  

-suedonym 

Their response (which I got within the hour)

To suedonym,

Thanks for your email. Thank you for being such a loyal customer making this
a summer tradition. I can totally see where you are coming from and know how
frustrating and disappointing it is. I agree that is hard to understand why
we would make this decision. 

In past years it has been so nice and convenient to bring your cooler inside
with you while your family enjoys the park. You are not alone in your
concerns and we want to do everything we can to help make this an easy
transition.

Seven Peaks is a family orientated place and we strive day in and day out to
make sure that it stays this way. This is an extreme measure that we are
taking as a company, but we are doing it with the best intentions in mind.
Events have taken place in recent years that have led management to this
change and we want to ensure that you, your family and friends all have the
safest possible experience while you enjoy your summers here. 

While we are not allowing any coolers in unless you have a small infant
and/or are diabetic, it doesn't mean you can't bring your cooler to the
park, because you can! We do have a picnic area for your family conveniently
located just north of the front entrance. All guests are allowed to leave
and re-enter the park as often as they would like. As you said that would be
really annoying to go in and out with small children. You can bring in a 24
oz water bottle per person and any small snacks or formula for babies. We
understand that small children need snacks and we want an enjoyable day for
them as well. We don't feel like small snacks such as fruit snacks or gold
fish are a threat to the safety of any guest and these WILL be allowed. We
want to work with you and keep you on our team! 

We agree that this new policy is inconvenient and acknowledge that it was
not communicated to you at the time you purchased your season passes.  We're
sorry for this delay.  This has been a difficult change for sure.  As such,
we totally understand your frustration and want to make it right.  If we are
unable to do so, we are willing to offer a refund, but would prefer to keep
you with us.

I am including an attachment of the official statement we have on the food
changes this year, it contains complete information on this subject and
hopefully will help answer some additional questions you might have. However
please feel free to call me directly if you have any other concerns.
Hopefully we'll see you this summer! Have a good day. 

Sharlene Witt
Public Relations Manager
Seven Peaks Water Park
O: (801) 373-8777 x110
customerservice@sevenpeaks.com

The enclosure

Dear Seven Peaks Water Park Patrons: 

RE: Seven Peaks 2009 Policy Change 

Seven Peaks Water Park is committed to setting the bar for excellence in safety, security and cleanliness with regards to our facility.  We, as a management team, value our patrons and employees and are doing everything within our power to make sure they have an enjoyable experience while working or visiting our park. With this goal in mind, we feel it necessary to make a few changes regarding the water park’s food policy.   

Over the last couple of years, there have been an increasing number of incidents where people have brought in glass, knives, alcohol and other substances that could be harmful to both patrons and employees.  Therefore beginning this 2009 summer season, Seven Peaks Water Park will no longer allow outside food or beverages to enter the park facility with the exception of one sealed water bottle (24 oz. per patron maximum).  Exceptions will be made for people with health issues such as diabetes and those with infant food or formula. 

As we explored the options to combat the issues we are facing, our research revealed that Seven Peaks has been one of only 2% of water parks across the nation that still allowed outside food into the facility.  This statistic, along with several others, was the determining factors that have lead to this change.  We hope our loyal pass holders and new visitors understand that we have their best interests at heart and want nothing more than to provide the safest most enjoyable experience possible. 

As a result of this policy change Seven Peaks has invested over $250,000 in on-site food service upgrades to provide patrons with more food variety and freshness.  We have also created a picnic area located just outside the main gates to the north, where patrons can enjoy food they wish to bring with them and leave in their cars. 

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we implement this new policy.  

For questions or concerns, please contact Seven Peaks Public Relations at (801) 373.8777 x 110 or email at prelations@sevenpeaks.com. 

Sincerely, 

Seven Peaks Water Park Management Team 

Thoughts?