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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Putting up 6ft pool in public park - no garden

306 replies

itsgettingweird · 22/07/2020 16:13

I really can't work out if I am or not!

I live in a street that's not quiet but not busy either. There is a public park that has loads of grass and a small play area and also lots if public open spaces.

Someone from flats adjacent to park has put up a 6ft swimming pool in the park. It's close to the play equipment meaning parents can't sit on bench by swings when their children play due to SD.

It's unsupervised and currently about 6 local kids in it (not sure if owner of pools kids or just locals or mixture of both)
It's not the mixing that concerns me.

But AIBU to think this isn't safe anyway but you really shouldn't do this as you then take over a public space when the whole family is there like they did yesterday evening?

There is a space that's a bit no lands land between park and flats that has a wooden fence (just like the single barrier) around it and I think if they'd put it there it wouldn't be so bad?)

I'm completely torn between thinking the kids need some fun after lockdown and constantly looking out of my window to check they're safe as no other adult around and the effect this is having on me relaxing.

So AIBU to think they shouldn't put it there?

OP posts:
Zoomintheroom · 22/07/2020 16:35

Don't do an online form it will take too long for anyone to do anything. Call the council or local police station.

HerRoyalNotness · 22/07/2020 16:35

I wouldn't want to spoil the children's fun. Lockdown has been awful

A child drowning in it will certainly spoil the fun. It needs to be taken down immediately

Lockheart · 22/07/2020 16:36

@BlahBlipBloopBlop

I'm completely torn between thinking the kids need some fun after lockdown and constantly looking out of my window to check they're safe as no other adult around and the effect this is having on me relaxing

Maybe the parents are checking like you are? I'd not be comfortable with my children playing in it ( thankfully we have a garden ) but realisticly how long have these kids been on lockdown for? There's definetly a risk of drowning but clearly their parents have weighed up the risks and decided its ok

And maybe everyone pooled their money together for the pool? This might of been a communal purchase if everyones kids play together

If your child isnt there then I'd just leave it be for now

I wouldn't want to spoil the children's fun. Lockdown has been awful

It will spoil more than their fun if one of them drowns or is hurt.

Whoever put it up should either supervise properly or drain it when not in use - otherwise it's open for any children visiting the park to get in, even if the owners have brought their children in and are watching TV or something.

It's not about spoiling fun, but water isn't something to fuck about with and there's potential for unsupervised children to access the pool.

I think an outdoor pool is a great idea BUT it needs appropriate close supervision.

IveSeenThings · 22/07/2020 16:36

75m deep? Shock

I know it was a typo... Grin

Yeahyoureright · 22/07/2020 16:38

Sorry how have they filled it?

MitziK · 22/07/2020 16:38

They'll probably take it down once they realise everybody else wants a go, too, including random dogs.

It's not a police matter - the park staff will deal if made aware.

Sisterwives · 22/07/2020 16:38

Placemarking to see how they've been filling it.

Monstamio · 22/07/2020 16:38

Yanbu. This is dangerous. I'd definitely be reporting to the council.

DomDoesWotHeWants · 22/07/2020 16:39

You have to report. How would you feel if a child drowned?

The family who did it are bonkers.

itswinetime · 22/07/2020 16:39

I think it probably comes from a good place,

However as pp have pointed out very dangerous to have a pool of water unsupervised.

It also sounds a bit grim to me and not because of Covid I'm particular, no adult supervision means I don't see how you can police who is using it or how many it doesn't sound like it's near a water source so I'd be surprised if it's being emptied and refilled regularly I guess it might be chlorinated but still without regular testing and emptying/cleaning it's going to be gross!

I agree with pp it needs to be report to the council, I'm sure whoever put it there means well and I know its horrible for kids without outstanding space not having a paddling pool ect, but I don't think leaving one unattended in a public space is the answer.

MiserySand · 22/07/2020 16:40

Do a shit in it op

cuntryclub · 22/07/2020 16:41

Please call the police not the council. The police will be there before you wade through the bloody options at the council to find a human. Online? No way. It needs dealing with ASAP.

Tlollj · 22/07/2020 16:41

Oh misery that made me laugh.

cuntryclub · 22/07/2020 16:42

@MiserySand

Do a shit in it op

Or there is this option Grin

ProfMcGonigle · 22/07/2020 16:42

@MiserySand

Do a shit in it op
That made me laugh out loud. Grin

Don't though

UnholyStramash · 22/07/2020 16:42

I bet council never got chance to check safety. Probably breaks some planning bylaw and anyway anyone who’s got a brain and uses it would know it’s a serious drowning risk even if very shallow. OP, you need to contact your LA.

itswinetime · 22/07/2020 16:42

Crossed post about the hose....if they have a hose then they have a garden? In which case they need to by a pool that fits in their space, it's even more crazy to have it in the open!

Lipz · 22/07/2020 16:43

Sounds dangerous and gross, all those bodies jumping in and out and where are they weeing. I'd report.

cuntryclub · 22/07/2020 16:44

@itswinetime

Crossed post about the hose....if they have a hose then they have a garden? In which case they need to by a pool that fits in their space, it's even more crazy to have it in the open!

I run my hose out the bathroom window.

Floralnomad · 22/07/2020 16:45

That is definitely not acceptable I would call the council not fill out a form .

tulippa · 22/07/2020 16:46

A paddling pool in a car park sounds really minging and depressing. Sad

InFiveMins · 22/07/2020 16:46

I think a lot of posters are overreacting. Chances are it's just a family that are using the space to let their kids play in the pool because they don't have a garden. Their parents will surely be supervising them. I'd leave them to get on with it.

Yankathebear · 22/07/2020 16:47

Bleurgh, imagine how dirty it is!

Original poster
itsgettingweird · 22/07/2020 16:47

Filling isn't really a mystery. There's flats the other side of the fence to the park boundary and they put hose from flat over fence to the pool. They did it yesterday. I wasn't keen on it then but was a family gathering and I assumed it would be gone after they were done.

I don't think parents could watch from flat if lower flats (and it's their kids in it) because there's a 6ft fence between park and flats. And between lower floors and where no fence there's a load of bushes between window and pool. But they may be able too.

OP posts:
MiserySand · 22/07/2020 16:48

Grin Yeah don't really poo in it... leave that to the kids/ dogs!
Seriously I can see why whoever put it up thought it was a nice idea but really it is irresponsible. And dangerous, sadly.

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