Banksville Community Park, Banksville: 1485 Crane Avenue
What are my chances of getting struck by lightning? The National Weather Service says the odds are 1:15,300 using an average lifetime of 80 years. I like this, especially when compared to the 1:95 odds of dying in a car crash.
Of course, tall, pointy objects are more susceptible to lightning strikes, so telecommunications towers and other sorts of antennae, like the ones found adjacent to Banksville Community Park, include lightning protection as part of their design. But even with that, if an electrical storm is approaching, the safest bet (at any park, not just Banksville) is to play it smart and get inside.
But the most pressing question facing outdoor enthusiasts in Pittsburgh right now isn’t about lightning strikes but rather, “What are my odds of finding a functional public water fountain?” The clock is ticking on Mayor Gainey’s promise to have all 170 fountains turned on by month’s end, and I’m happy to report that water flows in Banksville! That’s great news, but it’s the only functioning fountain I’ve seen in my travels throughout the South Hills and West End.
So, right now, it appears that the odds of maintaining adequate hydration are better than being struck by lightning but not as good as dying in a car crash. Let’s hope the next two weeks bring some improvements.
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