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MNHQ

Quick! The Telegraph would like your comments on the great British sandpit shortage

110 replies

HelenMumsnet · 03/06/2009 10:03

Morning all.

The Telegraph is planning to run a story on the not-so-gradual disappearance of sandpits from public parks and playgrounds - and they want to know what Mumsnetters think about it all.

Is there a public sandpit near you? Do you take your kids to it? And would you (and they) miss it if it closed?

Or do you dislike/avoid them - and think it's a good idea they're disappearing?

OP posts:
StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 03/06/2009 10:14

Doesn't bother me that there aren't any near here. If there was one I'd be worried about DD digging and unearthing cat poo or used needles. Never mind all the drunken teenagers who would probably urinate in it.

BonsoirAnna · 03/06/2009 10:13

I live in Paris where every park and playground has a sandpit. They are used intensively and maintained frequently (daily?), and there are strict rules on cleanliness - the pits are frequently tested for bacteria etc.

I think sandpits are a great idea (even if my own DD doesn't particularly like them).

EccentricaGallumbits · 03/06/2009 10:12

No idea where our nearest sandpit would be. Would be easier and quicker to take them to a beach perhaps.

TheProfiteroleThief · 03/06/2009 10:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

oopsagain · 03/06/2009 10:09

sandpit at our locala park.
it'[s fab.
kids love it and play in it for ages.

Why are they beng phased out?

LupusinaLlamasuit · 03/06/2009 10:07

Do you remember the days when public parks used to have little paddling pools too?

flamingobingo · 03/06/2009 10:06

Also, we went somewhere on holiday once which had two huge wooden pirate ships to play on, and they were on sand and, for some reason, I didn't worry too much about that. Maybe because it was within an attraction you paid to get into and was locked at night?

TrinityRhino · 03/06/2009 10:06

I dont know of anywhere near me with a public sandpit

If there had been one I would have taken my children to it and they would have missed it when it went

we have a large sandpit in out garden and they are almost never out of it (weather permitting)

LupusinaLlamasuit · 03/06/2009 10:06

You mean the GReat British Cat Toilet Shortage surely?

I only use them if they are in Very Big Parks (ie miles away from cat populations) and/or the kind of park you have to pay to go in where people clean them.

And I'm really NOT a fussy, anal type...

flamingobingo · 03/06/2009 10:05

We have one at our local park. I don't really like them playing in it - I imagine all sorts of manky things in their - cat shit etc. But I do let them and they've never got ill so far in two years of playing in it regularly! And never found anything unsavoury either.

They'll play in it for absolutely ages too - far longer than they do on the climbing frames etc. sometimes.

I think we need more sandpits that are better cared for?