Drought forces Bexley Council to keep children's splash parks closed (From News Shopper)
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Drought forces Bexley Council to keep children's splash parks closed
2:38pm Monday 30th April 2012 in News By Alan Woods
The splash park in Belvedere.
SPLASH parks in Belvedere and Danson Park will not open this year due to drought conditions across the borough.
Bexley Council planned to turn on the water features at the splash parks during the first week of May but even after a prolonged period of rain, Thames Water says the drought still stands.
Water fountains at Crayford’s Waterside Gardens will also remain switched off.
Following the issuing of a Temporary Use Ban on April 5, the council has drawn up plans to reduce water use.
These include the replacement of the annual bedding plants, which require regular watering, with drought tolerant shrubs and perennial plants.
Notices are also being displayed on newly planted street trees across the borough, encouraging homeowners to water them with washing up water.
Thames Water says water levels in the River Darent remain ‘seriously low.’ For more details visit Bexley.gov.uk/drought.
Karen West says...
2:03pm Wed 2 May 12
To some people it may be the only chance their children get to have a day at the seaside especially with petrol prices the way they are. Holidays can be so expensive too. For some I would almost say it’s a lifeline.
There are so few places where grandparents, parents and children young and old can spend a whole day for free. I thought the water was recycled at the Splash Park anyway. I really do think that in some cases common sense should come into play.
Karen West