Latest news with #splashpad
Daily Mail
18 hours ago
- General
- Daily Mail
UK's only riverside tidal lido is reopening with new £250k splash zone
The UK's only riverside tidal lido has officially reopened, and with a brand new splash zone worth £250,000. Located in Kent, Strand Lido and Leisure Park in Gillingham had been closed for months for the extensive refurbishment works. Originally opened in 1896, the attraction has been a firm favourite among local families and visitors. The waterpark's new splash pad has 30 sensor-activated water jets, which are situated in a beach-themed area. Aimed for children aged between three and 11, it's complete with new safety railings as well as bins. As well as its new edition, the leisure park's existing outdoor pool has also reopened, alongside the toddler pool and the central swimming zone which has 25 metre lengths. Its 300-metre lazy river is also back in action, just in time for the summer. Onsite facilities include a pool inflatable shop, a poolside cafe, changing areas and toilets, which management say are limited. There's also a miniature train ride, four tennis courts, an outdoor gym, a picnic area and two children's play areas available. Strand Lido and Leisure Park reopened on May 24 and will be open daily throughout the summer months. Admission to the park, which is cashless and accepts card payments only, costs £7.80, while children and seniors are £5.15. Last year, the Strand gained membership to Historic Pools of Britain after being recognised as 'historically significant'. Clare Short, from Historic Pools of Britain, said the Strand is a 'pool that epitomises the spirit of lidos as a place for fun and wellbeing, which it has been providing to its community and visitors for over 120 years, and that is historically significant as the only remaining riverside tidal saltwater pool in the country.' Speaking previously about the riverside tidal lido, local Councillor Nina Gurun, who handles the council's portfolio for for heritage, culture and leisure, said: 'We are proud to have invested in this exciting project to improve the already great offering and add a brand new fun feature for our children and families to enjoy both this summer and for years to come.'
The Sun
2 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Unique Victorian lido with outdoor lazy river to reopen with new £250k splash zone
THE only remaining riverside tidal lido in the UK is reopening soon with a new 'splash' feature following a £250,000 refurbishment. The Strand Lido and Leisure Park in Gillingham, in Kent, has reopened with a new splash pad. 5 5 5 The lido's new splash pad is designed for children between three and 11-years-old. The new water feature has 30 sensor-activated waterjets in a beach-themed play area, as well as new bins and railings. The existing paddling pool has reopened, too. Overall, the leisure complex includes an outdoor leisure pool, six 25-metre lanes for swimming, a 300-metre lazy river, a café and play areas. There is also a pool inflatable shop on site, a poolside cafe, changing areas and toilets. The Strand Park, more widely, is home to a miniature train ride, four newly refurbished tennis courts, an outdoor gym, riverside walks, a picnic area and access to the pebbled beach area. The Strand originally opened in 1896 and is now the only remaining riverside tidal saltwater pool in the country. Last year it was officially recognised as being 'historically significant' after gaining membership to Historic Pools of Britain. Speaking previously, Councillor Nina Gurung, Medway Council's portfolio holder for heritage, culture and leisure, said: "We are proud to have invested in this exciting project to improve the already great offering and add a brand-new fun feature for our children and families to enjoy both this summer and for years to come." To access the pools, sessions need to be booked online. Historic 'on-of-a-kind' lido has three heated swimming pools Adult admission costs £7.20, whilst it costs £4.75 for juniors and seniors. According to Clare Short, from Historic Pools of Britain, The Strand Lido is a "pool that epitomises the spirit of lidos as a place for fun and wellbeing, which it has been providing to its community and visitors for over 120 years, and that is historically significant as the only remaining riverside tidal saltwater pool in the country." In addition, the pool is Medway's only open air swimming pool or lido. After heading to the lido last year, one visitor said: "[Strand Lido] felt a bit like being on holiday and the kids loved it. "We played in the lovely park after and done the little train ride - kids enjoyed that. 5 "The fair was on too. [It] was as a nice little day out and local too." Another added: "Just loved this place so much to entertain our two-year-old. [A] sand pit, train, swings, slides, paddling pool, pebbles, water … everything a little person could want." A seafront English lido named one of the best in Europe has also reopened with £4.5million revamp to be unveiled in weeks. Plus, the European 'pleasure island' with lido, flumes and wave pool gets new TUI flights from the UK. 5
CBS News
2 days ago
- General
- CBS News
Splash pad opens at Del Paso Heights park as Sacramento reaches triple-digit heat
SACRAMENTO – After a year-long wait, the splash pad at Mama Marks Park is now officially open in Sacramento's Del Paso Heights community. The celebration unveiling the new spot to cool off was hosted by the city on Saturday morning, before the region reached triple-digit temperatures. The park has been the site of renovations over the years, working to help combat the stigma of gun violence that has rocked the community. Saturday, children and families came to splash in the park's waterworks and celebrate the new asset to the neighborhood. This, the city of Sacramento hopes, sends a strong message to community members. "The days of looking past Del Paso Heights, North Sacramento, are over," said Roger Dickinson, Sacramento City Councilmember for District 2. Dickinson called this a day of celebration, but also one of reflection. In addition to honoring Del Paso Heights' legendary philanthropist Mama Marks, the park is also in memory of Makaylah Brent, who was just 9 years old when she was shot in the park, an unintended target of a gang-related drive-by shooting in 2020. She died instantly while playing tag. The shooting injured three others, including another child. Brent's grandmother attended the park's grand opening and shared a message with the crowd gathered there. "My family is deeply grateful to everybody that helped. I'm just glad some recognition for our neighborhood has finally shown up," she said through tears. It's a place to build community in one of the most underserved parts of town, now getting some much-needed attention and a place for children to cool off in the hot summer months that is free and accessible. "Income is not the same as other areas. They don't have the finances to go to Cal Expo or Sun Splash, places like that. It is vital we have something like this," said Gregory Jefferson, president of the Del Paso Heights Community Association. Saturday, some longtime residents showed up at the park in protest, pushing back against the city. "You've gotta do better, gotta do more," said Deborah Wells, a 30-year Del Paso Heights resident. One sign in protest called it a "trash pad," as some residents said they feel the site would have been much nicer and included more amenities if it were in a different neighborhood. Those speaking out say the splash pad is a drop in the bucket of what this community needs and deserves, pointing to wanting real solutions to the community's crime problem and resources for young people. "Too many lives have been lost here. You've gotta do something. You come out here with a ribbon and some scissors and water and some Otter Pops? And here you go? Again, it's like throwing us crumbs when we've been hungry for so long," said Wells. "Unfortunately, there's a stigma behind this park. Some people are still fearful to come to this park, regardless of the splash pad." City leaders said this investment in the park represents one promise fulfilled, with more to come. "We are going to start paying the kind of attention, committing the kind of resources to this part of the city that for too long it hasn't received. It's been overlooked, bypassed and often left behind," said Dickinson. Jefferson says he is glad to see a positive step taken forward for his community. "Still, this is more than we had a year ago. I am grateful and I'm sure the city, as things improve financially, we will eventually get there," said Jefferson. Now, hoping one splash can make a big wave in Del Paso Heights. Dickinson says other projects in the works in this community include a traffic calming project, trying to bring in a farmers market or community gathering space, and working to attract economic investment to this part of the city. As for the park, soon the city says it will also unveil some type of memorial recognizing little Makaylah Brent, who lost her life far too soon.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
This is when Victoria Park's splashpad is reopening in Cardiff for 2025
It seems like the children of Cardiff have been waiting ages for the news that the popular splashpad at Victoria Park to reopen for the 2025 season. After the 2024 run was cut short due to a technical difficulty, earlier this month Cardiff Council confirmed that the opening of the Cardiff splashpad would delayed for this summer. Cardiff Council were unable to give an exact opening date for the Canton splashpad but just weeks after the delay was announced the park's attraction is now operational. The uncertainty over the reopening for 2025 was due to a delay in the manufacture and delivery of parts from Italy. In a statement given to Walesonline by a spokesperson for the council was on May, 15, they said the reopening was going to be a "little later," but it seems the Victoria Park attraction has got going sooner than expected. READ MORE: If you care about Cardiff, you will want to know about this READ MORE: The tiny barbershop where footballers get their haircut In an update at the park itself the opening hours of the splashpad, weather permitting, are as follows: Monday - Friday - 12pm to 7pm Weekends - 10am to 7pm And in the summer holidays the splashpad will open from 10am every day. The Victoria Park splashpad is located within the park that has multiple attractions that are perfect for the summer time. Within the park there are tennis courts, beach volley ball, a multiuse games area, kiosks and the splashpad. There is also a new outdoor exercise facility being built at the park with outdoor exercise stations. The £485,000 facility opened for the first time in 2016 on the site of the former paddling pool in the Canton park. The splash pad has 33 fun features for children to enjoy and is often a busy attraction for families during the late spring and summer. Located in the middle of the Grade II-listed park, the splash pad features water sprays, jets, and a giant tipping water bucket. Set across three separate zones, the splash pad has been designed for toddlers, juniors, and families. Last year after technically difficulties the splashpad was closed for visitors for two weeks. After opening in May 2024, the splashpad was closed for a fortnight in August. At the time Cardiff Council stated that they had experienced a "complete failure" of some of its pumps, which couldn't be replaced on time.
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Worcester's splash pad reopening hit by fresh delay
The reopening of Worcester's Gheluvelt Park splash pad has been hit by a fresh a £366,000 refurbishment, the popular children's attraction had been due to open on Saturday 24 May, in time for the Spring Bank Holiday and half-term. After initially being set back a week, until Saturday 31 May, Worcester City Council said the reopening had now been delayed local authority has apologised to families. It said it would confirm a new opening date once a series of tests and checks were complete. Works to repair the 15-year-old water play feature were approved by councillors last November, after persistent maintenance problems led to it being shut repeatedly over the summer months. A £366,000 investment has included the replacement of the original filtration system, as well as an upgrade to the safety surface.A Worcester City Council spokesperson said: "Work is ongoing to ensure that the splash pad is ready to be safely used."The structural work is now complete, and there is now a series of commissioning tests and checks to undertake before it can be safely opened."We are sorry for the delay, which has been due to unforeseen circumstances."We will update our social media accounts when we have a confirmed opening date, which we are hoping will be in the next several days."When it finally opens, the splash pad will operate daily between 11am and 4pm until 18 July, and then 11am and 6pm until 1 September. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram.
