DUBLIN, Ga. — Just a few weeks ago, the city of Dublin celebrated the opening of Southern Pines Water Park.
This week, people are concerned kids will be unsupervised at the water park thanks to a new shuttle program, while people who live in the county are concerned they have been forgotten.
"I've lived here out here in Rentz, out in the country all my life," said Tommy Alligood.
Sometimes it's tough keeping busy in rural Laurens County.
"We have two kids. One is 17 and doesn't drive, then we have a 22 going on 23-year-old," Alligood said.
He says he wanted to take his kids to the new Southern Pines Water Park this summer.
"We can only go on the weekends, and usually on the weekends, we have a lot of things to do like most people," Alligood said.
Assistant Dublin City Manager Artiffany Stanley says the program was created to shuttle students within the city limits of Dublin.
"Right now, in order to do anything with the county or East Dublin, we would have to discuss that with their city officials," Stanley said.
Stanley says the shuttle runs every Tuesday and Thursday through June and July.
"In order to ride the bus, you do have to go to the Dublin Police Department and fill out a registration form. After you fill out the registration form, you will get an ID with your picture on it and a QR (Quick Response) code, and a barcode that is on the back of that," Stanley said.
The QR code will be scanned once students get on the bus, before and after they enter the park, and once they disembark from the bus.
"A school resource officer will be riding on the bus as well, and they will be checking on the students just to ensure everyone is following the proper rules," Stanley said.
Stanley says any student who misbehaves will be kicked out of the program.
"The city of Dublin Police Department does provide security at the water park," Stanley said.
While city students have transportation, Alligood says he hopes the county steps up to do the same.
"Well it is located at the Dublin-Laurens County Recreation Authority and the way I look at it, that means it is part of the whole county and not just Dublin," he said.
13WMAZ reached out to the Laurens County administrator, but did not hear back.
The city says they are ready to work with the county and local communities if they want to start a bus service. For more detailed information about the water park shuttle service, you can click here.
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