Putting up 6ft pool in public park - no garden

[itsgettingweird]

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?

sure they meant well, and if flats then no garden

they will prob empty/take it down soon

but yes a risk

[quote ASimpleLampoon]@MiserySand Were you joking or was it a lampoon? a simple lampoon?[/quote]
I'm just a normal functioning member of the human race and there's no way anyone can prove otherwise...

Given how slow councils can be I would be ringing the police as it is a genuine immediate risk to life.

Nobody is going to think it's a public facility! Bestway pools are never public facilities!
The irresponsible ones are the people letting their very young kids play unsupervised.
If older kids want to risk drowning, there's rivers and lakes and the sea, all unsupervised, to go at.
The paddling pool isn't a good idea - it's grim. I've more issue with small, unsupervised kids though.

And today’s winner of the internet is.....

“@MiserySand

Do a shit in it op”

Closely followed by the “cesspit of piss”

It will be a filthy stew of bacteria and piss. Complete stupid, irresponsible and a drowning risk too. If the council don’t remove it soon, I’d consider calling the non emergency police number.

There is no law against paddling pools, much as there is no law against rivers lakes and canals... before you call the police

The next village to ours has a public paddling pool. Only filled to about 50cms (and at the moment not filled at all). It's about 25 feet by 15. its dug into the ground and made out of concrete.
There is no staff employed to supervise it. Parents are expected to be in the park with any child small/young enough to be unsafe near water. Older children are very unlikely to drown in it and those old enough to play unsupervised are more likely to be hit crossing the road to the park.

However this is different. I would report.

It's a drowning risk. I would report to the council.

A friend’s child drowned in the minutes it took each parent to realise he wasn’t with the other one. The pool sounds incredibly dangerous, a parent may let their children go to the play area unsupervised, not realising that there is a pool.
I would call the local police rather than the council, it needs to be taken down now.

Dangerous for drowning (possibly for wildlife as well) and I struggle to keep up with all the changing government advice but I also thought the covid guidance was to avoid sharing paddling pools, so if anyone else is going into it then it’s an extra risk.

I'm usually quite chill, but nah I would report it, so so so dangerous. And also unfair to those who wish to use the park as well.

Yes, I agree with SunbathingDragon apart from the very big risk to young children it is also dangerous for cats, foxes etc. I would go down and empty it out later OP if it is still there.

@jimmyhill

There is no law against paddling pools, much as there is no law against rivers lakes and canals... before you call the police

Current gov.uk

How old do the kids look?

There should be a sign somewhere in the park or on the gates, telling you who is responsible for it. Contact them and they'll sort it out, but they can't do that if they don't know about it. Could be the parish council, or district/borough council - the response will be dependent on who is responsible...

Another one ringing the police tbh

The Council are on hollyday

@Charleyhorses

If parents set it up for a party then took it down, I wouldn't bat an eyelid. Paddling pools that are filled and not supervised are just plain dangerous, to kids and animals. Just phone the police.

Agree. Yesterday when they had hose trailing from flats, over fence and filling it up - whilst lots of family there (some visiting I think) I just thought - but cheeky!

But it being there all night and in use unsupervised today made me feel uncomfortable.

I've loved hearing the kids in park and laughing again these past few weeks. I work in education and have been so worried for kids who have been out of school for months.

But the drowning risk (and the bacteria that's now been pointed out to me) was playing on my mind.

I won't be taking a knife to it. I've done what's right through correct channels. I know I've down what I can to protect children and prevent serious incident.

And to reassure everyone if I heard kids yelling because one was in trouble I wouldn't hesitate to run over and as a first aider have had the safe CV update for CPR (just chest compressions with mask on both people) of god forbid anything was to happen.

Report to the police. It's a drowning hazard.

@jimmyhill

There is no law against paddling pools, much as there is no law against rivers lakes and canals... before you call the police

If you RTFT you'll see Ive never mentioned police or said I'd contact them. So you can step down and rest easy!

You're right to report it. Very irresponsible of whoever put it there.

I used to work for a swimming pool maintenance company. That is seriously dangerous, it can't stay up

Because working in swimming pool maintenance gives you some kind of unique perspective on the relative safety of a 6ft paddling pool?🤔

Ye Gods... assuming 75 cm deep... ? that is a serious drowning risk.. 6 foot is the length of a bath [?] so not overly big, but dangerous enough for kids to fall into.

Tragically children drown every year in pools/ponds, even tiny ones.
It needs moving. Fast.

No way. What about germs? Yuk. Anyone contaminating the water. What about covid? Swimming pools aren't even allowed to open here.
Risk of drowning too.. A little boy died in a building site not long ago here. He was 10. He fell down a hole. Kids do stupid things.

A friend’s child drowned in the minutes it took each parent to realise he wasn’t with the other one. The pool sounds incredibly dangerous, a parent may let their children go to the play area unsupervised, not realising that there is a pool.

Same here...... A ''Pool Party'' in a private garden, smallish pool filled with inflatables... and shrieking older children/adults.. Each parent thought the poor Child was with the other.