So....which water plays are open people?

[vanthorne]

Just posting this info regarding how to contact Lambeth parks as they were very helpful last week when I rang then- I spoke to a helpful lady who gave me updates on all the parks in Lambeth remit and even the manager of Brockwell park called me at 7pm to further update and also someone from Norwood parks contacted me personally ( they have a water play area there too which I'm yet to check out) - so it's a good way to get into that's up to date ( maybe not on a Sunday tho - not sure..)

I haven't tried Southwark but Worth contacting them on Monday for up to date news.

I passed on the message of our forum and threads to the Brockwell park manager who was going to look into making a posting .. Planted the seed of an idea there but he needs to get authorisation etc...

They inferred that Brockwell should be fine now and myatts has a more serious problem unfortunately, no reported issues at Ruskin as far I was told last week.

Lambeth parks services ( parks@lambeth.gov.uk or tel: 0207 926 9000, option 4 and then option 3).

[Fuschia]

I did mail Lambeth fri eve on the off chance but no response so perhaps over the weekend a call is better

[Otta]

I'm at Wells Park. It's on, but they need to turn up the water pressure as it's a bit pathetic.

[Fuschia]

Would like to go to Norwood or streatham paddling pool if we could

[vanthorne]

Where is the streatham paddling pool Fuschia ? Is it near 'the rookery' by any chance over in streatham common ? Think we are going to go exploring this afternoon after the heat of day has passed - we are hibernating from the sun at present as ' too hot'- crazy but true.

[Fuschia]

Yep by the rookery

You will see the blue of the pool to the heft if you drive along streatham common n side

http://www.lambeth.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/3D3C00E5-C2D8-4C47-B385-7E355F9AE708/0/StreathamCommonLNR.pdf

Marked on there

Is beside car park

[vanthorne]

Ok - definitely don't go to Norwood park. Pumps not working. There is a roped off muddy area with rubbish and old knickers , have taken pictures. Very disappointing will be giving Lambeth and the guy who contacted me from Norwood park a full update on Monday.

Off to try streatham now!

[vanthorne]

Thanks Fuschia for streatham directions / has to be an improvement on Norwood !

[Fuschia]

Is streatham open?

Ruskin?

Ruskin was shut not long ago I know

[vanthorne]

Yup streatham open -but rammed - prob would be quite nice mid week when quieter.

But clean and full of water - has potential.

Liked the stream in the rookery too - quite magical - new discovery for us :)

[Fuschia]

Saffron recommends the stream at ladywell

In the end we stayed at home today

I just didn't fancy a journey in a hot car

[Saffron]

Indeed the stream at Ladywell is brilliant with cafe and playground too. And of course it's always 'on'. It had water even during the last hosepipe ban! We were there yesterday but didn't make it out of our own garden paddling pool today. Too knackered from yesterday!

[bluesuperted]

Ladywell is gorgeous, quite quiet in the week but much busier today. Loads of children catching fish together. It's kind of got it all with the cafe and play area too... Although they are trying to shut the cafe guy down (been there for years) and put it up for tender. I believe there's an online petition to save him, I'll see if I can find it. His ?1 homemade cakes are great and it's very reasonable for other things.

[Fuschia]

Ladywell sounds good though there are traffic problems aren't there

[bluesuperted]

Oh yes various roads are closed, we drove today via Hilly Fields (round the top) which was fine. Lots of bus routes though (better in the week anyway as parking is tricky/meters. The 122, 185 and 75 I think all drop very close by.

[vanthorne]

Yes this looks fun - see pic ( ladywell fields river dipping) - I must try it! Another undiscovered spot ... Could ( almost ) get by not living next to a beach in this weather :)

[bluesuperted]

Oh I don't know... We had fab day (heinous journey) in broadstairs this weekend and I definitely want to live by the sea all over again!!

[vanthorne]

Yes joss bay ( next to broadstairs ) is our nearest beach of choice but the said 'heinous journey' daunted us this wknd - think the only way to do it is leave by 7.30 get there for 10am and come back before the rush - beautiful once you are down there .

[bluesuperted]

That's what we did - actually we left at 8 but the way there was fine. The way back was awful because 3x accidents on M2 so we moved 15 mins in 2.5 hours. We ended up turning back, going to Whitstable to try and find a room, predictably there weren't any, so we had to wait until the roads cleared and ended up having beefeater dinner and then getting home with two sleeping children (thank god!) at 1030pm. The best laid plans!!

[vanthorne]

oh no - that's bad ! I've had one too many hot sticky car journeys with crying children recently ... Hope there is still a good memory of the Beach experience tho. roll on holidays proper next to a Dorset beach :)

meanwhile back in Cansas - I'm going to get thru to Lambeth tomorrow and get an update of the pools in the area - I seem to have acquired their direct personal email addresses and phone numbers recently after my nudging enquiries to them - so will try and post a local update tomorrow as the sun is here to stay all week.

[Fuschia]

Great

Please check Ruskin while you're at it

In fact ... Please suggest they keep their website updated with the status of the water plays! Would save so much grief

[espelli]

I was at Ruskin yesterday and it was open. It wasn't too busy either.

[crystal7]

I've been to Ruskin the last few weekends. Not too busy in the mornings and there's a kiosk selling coffee, cake, ice cream and sandwiches.

Went to Sydenham Wells last week too, had a lovely morning there. Manageable just about alone with 1 and 4 year old. Really liked that there's play equipment right next to the water play. My 2 often want to get out of the water after about 10 min then want to get back in a bit later. This way they could slip shoes on and play out of the water then hop back into the jets when they got hot again! Thanks for the tip edf!

[Saffron]

Water is back on at Hilly Fields! Xx

[sunbob]

We were at Myatts Fields today and the water was just on from about 1-1.30 (don't know about the morning) then turned off for the rest of our visit. Still a lovely afternoon's trip though.