Families launch campaign for splash pad in city

Campaigners say a splash pad, or splash park, would be accessible for all

A group of parents and grandparents want their council to create a splash pad in their city.

Families in Salisbury currently travel across Wiltshire to Warminster to use the outdoor water-based play area there, according to Jo Broom.

The grandmother-of-five said: "We're not expecting the council to pay for this [the splash pad] completely. We know there are funding options available and we hope they will look at them very seriously and do what they can do to facilitate this.“

Sam Charleston, leader of Salisbury City Council, said he was "very impressed" with the proposals and added: "I hope that this is only the beginning of the conversation around this splashpad."

Jo Broom says several families in Salisbury travel to Warminster's splash pad

Ms Broom says splash parks - also known as splash pads - require less upkeep than swimming pools and are more accessible to families due to being free.

One area suggested for the potential facility is Churchill Gardens, due to the fact it has a car park and public toilets nearby.

Helena Warden-Judd, who has two sons, said a splash pad there could be a "wholesome" addition for the community.

”There's one [a splash pad] in Warminster which is incredible and you can visit for free, but it's a bit of a journey,” she said.

"If you don't have access to cars you can take the bus, but that does come with a cost. It would be great if we could bring an asset like that to Salisbury."

After a presentation by splash pad campaigners to Salisbury City Council this week, Ms Broom was "heartened" by the reaction of councillors.

She said: "They did agree to take it [the idea] to their communities committee, which I believe is in February, to look at the options we proposed."

If plans go ahead for the splash park, Ms Broom hopes schools could be involved in its final design.

Mr Charleston, of Salisbury City Council, said the splash park proposals will be taken seriously.

He added: "As a parent, I am very much in favour of a splashpad - as leader of the Council I know that due diligence is very much necessary, and we would need to get an understanding of what a full cost profile would look like, and any potential external funding options we might be able to take advantage of."