Snake bite in Regional Park prompts concerns
Oct. 15—Members of Gilbert's Parks and Recreation advisory board last week reviewed the possibility of putting warning signs about wildlife at the canals near Gilbert Regional Park a rattlesnake bit a 7-year-old girl.
Allie Brasfield was bitten while strolling with her family along a canal near the park last month.
Not aware of a rattlesnake or even the bite on her ankle, her parents initially thought she had sprained it.
After an hour, her pain worsened, and her parents took her to the nearest hospital. She had X-rays and was told to go home.
Time went by, and her leg worsened, so her parents took her to another hospital, which couldn't find any problems.
Finally, they took her to Phoenix Children's Hospital, which diagnosed the bite 30 hours afetr the snake had struck.
Allie required over 40 anti-venom vials to treat her condition and at $1,000-$4.000 a pop, the medication is not covered by insurance.
A family friend started a GoFundMe campaign to help raise the $50,000 in medical bills they incurred, and recently thanked donors who have helped whittle that total almost in half.
"The Brasfields are very thankful for everyone and everything. It is a blessing that Allie is alive and well," wrote Sarah Gabaldon, who organized the fundraiser.
"I thank the entire community that came together to help this family," she wrote. "Wrestling, Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, labor unions , friends, family strangers it amazes me the love and support you all share. You have taken a big chunk of the financial burden off this family so they can focus on their little girl without the constant fear of medical bills.
"Hopefully we will see Allie back on the mats doing what she loves! Until then it's rehab, rest and healing for her."
"It was just heartbreaking to see her story," said Parks and Rec Board member Florence Daniels at the panel's meeting last week.
Daniels stressed the need to inform other Gilbert families of such potential hazards on the town's park trails near the canals.
Daniels, who lives in Freeman Farms, near the Gilbert Regional Park, said the Parks and Recreation Department should consider signage warning people about wildlife in the area surrounding the canals.
She also said that due to the Ocotillo bridge construction nearby, wildlife may be moving closer to the canals and the town should tell residents to be careful while walking around there.
But Parks Manager Kylie Sorenson said, "The canal is not owned by the town, it is owned by the county Flood Control District."
She said that while no agreement to put up signs is currently in place between Gilbert and the county, the town could work on a future agreement.
Until then, the town is not authorized to put up any signage along county land.
Daniels suggested then that instead of signage, the town could post a public service announcement, warning people to be wary of wildlife and to stay in well-lit areas.
She noted Queen Creek posts PSAs about wildlife and flooding along the path of the Queen Creek Canal, which also runs through Gilbert Regional Park.
