Park 'splash zone' to be closed for the rest of the year after 'flood damage'

The splash 'n' play zone at War Memorial Park "remains closed" after a flood



A popular water play area in Coventry will not re-open this year, the council has said. The splash 'n' play feature at War Memorial Park is usually open in the summer holidays.

But just days into the summer break, on 24 July, the council confirmed the splash zone "remains closed" after damage from a flood. Asked when the popular attraction will re-open, the council said it could not give an exact date.

It did, however, confirm the play area will not re-open this year in a response to questions from the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS.) The splash zone has 36 water jets and other water features for under-eights and 8-12s.

It is the only outdoor splash park in the city, according to family guide Coventry Rocks. Two others are nearby but out of these just one will open this summer, due to the Victoria Park paddling pool in Leamington Spa needing repairs.

Back in 2021, the splash zone in Coventry underwent maintenance works including a "full service" and deep clean. A year before, the council considered charging £1 to use the splash park to save £15,000 towards its upkeep, but abandoned the plan after backlash from both the public and councillors.

In a statement yesterday, 25 July, a council spokesperson said: "The water play area at the War Memorial Park remains closed after there was a flood in the pump room which caused significant damage to the main area that powers the feature. We apologise for the inconvenience and know how disappointing this is for children of all ages.

"The play feature was installed in in 2004 and there were already plans to do much needed repairs. In the meantime, there is still lots of fun for families to enjoy at our wonderful park. Visit coventry.gov.uk/wmp for more."

Splash park remains closed after mechanical fault



A sign on the railings at a popular water play area has claimed it will be permanently closed but its future in fact remains unclear.

Splash and Play in Coventry's War Memorial Park closed more than a year ago due to a fault in the pump room.

Coventry City Council previously said the feature, which was installed in 2004, would reopen in time for the school summer holidays.

Despite the wording of the sign, the authority said the attraction was only closed for the "foreseeable" and it was exploring options for it future, reiterating no decision had yet been taken.

A spokesperson added: "In the meantime, there is still lots of fun for families to enjoy at our wonderful park."

A woman at the park, who has two children aged six and nine, told BBC CWR the feature hadn't been open properly in the past so its closure hadn't made "much difference".

"They were opening it the odd half an hour here and there... and it was never really publicised when it would be open and when it wouldn't be," she said.

Another woman added: "It's just a shame for the children really isn't it, especially on a nice warm day like today."