Philadelphia bans dumpster pools, ruining your DIY summer plans
It's summer, it feels like a million degrees and you need to cool down: what do you do?
Take a cold shower, grab a popsicle or stand in front of a large fan, maybe.
Philadelphia's a little more resourceful than that. Last weekend, the Cedar Street Block Party rented a dumpster and filled it up with water from a hydrant to arrange a makeshift swimming pool.
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It's a combination of brilliant and disgusting. It's a combination the city has banned.
A few days after the party, the Mayor's Office released a statement in which they declared that Philadelphia "will not issue permits for block party dumpster pools."
Their reasons for the ban are valid since the purpose of a hydrant is first and foremost to provide water to put out a fire, not to provide the bathwater for dumpster tubs in which day-drinkers spill Bud Light Limes.
In order to dress up their dumpster pool party, the Philadelphians brought in some inflatable toys.
The party's hosts, Justyn Myers and Jake Long, reportedly covered the dumpster's floor with plywood and a Home Depot tarp before softening the edges with pool noodles, in a summer DIY hack that easily trumps whatever Pinterest popsicles you made.
In her statement, Karen Guss, Communications Director for the Department of Licenses and Inspections, declared, "We are not screwing around, Philly."
Guss also told the Associated Press, "You would think this decision would not require an explanation."
But, it's August in Philadelphia, so it did.
For the remainder of the summer, block party permits will not be issued in the area surrounding the location of the now infamous dumpster pool party site.
We hope Philadelphians will find a different, safer way to stay cool.
[H/T: BillyPenn]
Jessye McGarry is an acquaintance, middle child and former Humor Intern at Mashable.
