Should water balloons be banned from city splash pads and wading pools?

The issue was raised on CBC Radio's Metro Morning show Tuesday by Toronto mother Emily-Jane Watson.

Watson recently took her 10 month-old son to a splash pad at Gamble Playground — located near Pape and Cosburn Avenues — in the city's east end.

Upon arrival Watson noticed bits of broken water balloon strewn all over the splash pad and a mother filling up more balloons for a group of kids older than her son.

"There were water balloon remnants everywhere," said Watson. "It was all over the grass and all over the walkways."

Watson was concerned because her son is at an age where he's prone to putting items into his mouth.

"I asked [the mother] to stop because it wasn't safe," said Watson. "Her reply was 'I'd watch my kids.'"

Watson called the city to complain. The city called her back, but she missed the call.

Watson said she wants balloons banned from areas such as fenced off splash pads and wading pools that area geared to younger kids.

"There needs to be some give and take," she said. "There are certain kinds of play that I think should be more confined to your own backyard. They're not allowing other kids to play in the park."

The interview triggered some discussion on Metro Morning's Twitter feed.

One response said the real issue is parents not encouraging their kids to keep city parks clean.

Another seemed to suggest the entire debate was much ado about nothing.

What do you think? Are water balloons in parks a legitimate concern or an over inflated issue?

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