Comment by Mark

March 6, 2008 @ 11:21 am

The objective of the Friends is to protect and improve the natural beauty and facilities of Ruislip Lido for the peaceful enjoyment of all.

Adding certain features may be considered a facility but may also be counter to protecting and improving the natural beauty.  My concerns are:

• The Lido has existed for 200 years and I would like to think its natural beauty can be maintained for a further 200 years.  In the short term the new splash feature may be a blot on the landscape but, just as importantly, in a few years when the council tire of funding the ongoing maintenance, will we be left with a rotting relic.
• The litter situation is currently under control.  With the new pub offering £3.95 meals plus the addition of the splash feature will the Lido attract volumes of visitors that don’t care about protecting and improving the natural beauty; wantonly discarding their Red Bull cans and crisp packets.
• With council bills rising by astronomic amounts in recent years I can think of better ways to spend nearly £200,000 of our money.  In fact, don’t spend it and reduce the rate bill.

In all likelihood, after the first minor accident, the Health and Safety police will surround the atrocity with red and white tape and we’ll have the Ruislip version of the Diana Fountain.

Comment by Mark Yates

March 7, 2008 @ 5:25 pm

I’m a member of the F.O.R.L. and live in California where water features like the one proposed are very popular.
Mostly in open-air malls, I have yet to see one on a beach. I would think that a jet of cold water up the backside would be quite refreshing here and probably appreciated more than in the midst of doing your shopping. The problem I think is not with concept but with the sand. I will go to Universal City Walk this afternoon, stuff sand into theirs and see if I get into trouble.

Comment by Nicky

March 7, 2008 @ 6:16 pm

Nearly £200,000 will be spent on this water feature, what a waste of money! I can’t believe how short sighted the council have been by granting permission for this white elephant to be built. The costs will be on-going as it will need regular maintenance due to the sand getting in to the works. It will also need a “life guard” and his/her salary to make sure the children are kept safe, also the added clean up costs for the extra visitors it will bring, I am very happy with the extra visitors just not the rubbish they leave littered about the place.

The Lido is a wonderful place to be at any time of the year as its ever changing scenery is beautiful along with the wildlife that comes and goes. We are in danger of loosing this lovely part of Ruislip if it keeps having unnecessary additions to it such as the ugly BRIGHT YELLOW climbing frame placed on the beach and now this water feature. The beach is for all NOT just for children and any play equipment in this area should be in character with the surroundings as the adventure playground is just the other side of the beach.

Yes Mark you are quite right a jet of cold water up the backside is needed in Hillingdon council!

Comment by Martin

March 11, 2008 @ 1:56 pm

Very descriptive Nicky, White Elephant it would be much nicer to see an elephant on the beach than another pile of scrap.
Who’s going to pay for the water,is it going to be on a meter,like so many people have found themselves,it’s going to be quite an expence for someone as it will be running 12 hours a day through the summer.What would the reaction have been if it had been suggested that when the Lido was very low in past years that it should be filled up from the mains….all that and a hose pipe ban.

Martin G

Comment by ON BEHALF OF THE COMMITTEE OF FORL

March 11, 2008 @ 5:34 pm

The Lido is a unique facility where families enjoy activities which will soon include the splash pad and can also experience the wildlife, water birds and the woodland area.
The splash pad is a rubberised base where there are jets of water activated by children playing. No it will not need a life guard its not a paddling or swimming pool. Yes it is alot of money, however isn’t it nice to see the North of the borough getting money spent on it at last. Mainenance costs have been figured into the costs and it is low maintenance and we have been assured that the sand will not interfere with the operation of the spray jets.
We are committed as a group to the enviroment and wildlife, you may notice the beginnings of a nesting platform being put on the water this is being built by Sean the lido ranger with the assistance of two of our members, we are looking into reintroducing some indiginous wild flowers by Haste Hill,and are committed to conducting more litter picking days this year.
We are in consulation with the council and have asked the feature has a sand coloured base, unobtrusive fencing and with only a few red seats round the edge they will probably be the only bits visible from the other side of the Lido.
This feature has the support of cabinet members it is not going to fall into disrepair, after all it isn’t even build yet. It may bring more people to the Lido but we will have to wait and see, there is also the opportunity to get more funding off the back of this project, the council are now going to look into CCTV funding something we asked them to do some time ago.

Comment by Amanda

March 11, 2008 @ 6:16 pm

What fantastic news a splash area for children, I have been going to the Lido for more than 45 years and it saddens me when I go there now as there is not alot there, when I was little we had paddle boats, rowing boats, and a lovely swimming area as well as the railway and swings, my own children and childminding children will lookforward to the splash area, hope its as good as the one in Lamas Park, Staines.

Comment by Alison

March 11, 2008 @ 7:03 pm

As a mother of two young children I think it is a wonderful idea and well overdue! I frequently visit the Lido with my family throughout the year and the splash pad can only enhance our enjoyment. On hot days this will be superb for the children to cool off in, as it is not safe to allow the children to enter the water. I don’t feel that it will spoil the environment or affect the wildlife, after all there are many square miles of woods nearby. I would like to say “well done” to the Friends of Ruislip Lido for making this happen!

Comment by Linda Dunn

March 11, 2008 @ 7:09 pm

I was delighted to hear that the council has given the go ahead for the splash pad - even better news was that it will built in time for the school summer holidays. When I was growing up the lido was a special place with lots to do for the whole family - great walks, a little train, the playground and there were pedalos too. Now I am a Mum and I still love going to the lido at any time of year but in the summer it is hard to tell the children that they can not play in the water. How great to finally have an alternative! I have seen how brilliant these splash pads are in other parks. They are not unattractive and do not in any way diminish the look of the park. I am confident that it will be a huge draw for families and childminders alike.

The lido has always been a place for the whole family, not just for twitchers (bird spotters)and dog walkers. My children are the fourth generation in our family to enjoy in the lido and by giving it a fresh new idea like this splash pad it will continue to stay at the forefront of people’s minds as a great place to visit time and time again.

Owners of the dissenting voices objecting to the splash pad might care to think back to just over 10 years ago when the lido was quite a sorry looking place and visitor numbers were falling - do these people really want to push the lido back to those days? The lido is back on good form but the managers can not afford to be complacent. If the lido can keep pace with the times and yet stay true to the natural beauty of the place it will continue to thrive - building the splash pad will demonstrate that it can do just that.

There are plenty of nature reserves in the borough but Ruislip lido is special in that combines nature with fun. As we try and educate our children to respect the environment, what better combination could you ask for? I am firmly of the belief that the splash pad will only enhance what the lido already is - a great place to visit.

Comment by Lottie Jones

March 11, 2008 @ 7:34 pm

I think Mark, Nicky and Martin are a miserable bunch of moaners! A splash pad for kids is a fantastic idea and I know many many more who will think the same, can’t wait to see it up and running.

Comment by Cathy

March 11, 2008 @ 8:00 pm

The splashpad at Fassnidge Park is superb and has really added a new dimension to this wonderful historic green flag park. As a local mum I’m pleased that Ruislip Lido is due to get one too. I visited the Lido when I was a child and I enjoy taking my son there too. Well done everyone at FRL you are doing a super job and it’s great to see the wonderful photography of the lido on your site.

Comment by mrs marie browne

March 11, 2008 @ 8:31 pm

i would just like to say that my children love the lido and i think a water feature for the kids would be great

Comment by esther

March 11, 2008 @ 8:32 pm

the lido is a great day out for families, we love going there in the summer, somewhere to splash about in a hot day is just perfect. surely everybody will enjoy it.stop moaning about how much it cost, it will be very worthy for children

Comment by Simon

March 11, 2008 @ 10:22 pm

Lot’s of delighted mums here. Hopefully these aren’t the same mums I see at the Lido. Mums with their pitbulls off the lead on the beach, kids dropping litter everywhere and dropping soiled nappies back at the car park before finally driving their people carriers out through the way in.

Comment by Sabine

March 11, 2008 @ 10:34 pm

Making the Lido even more attractive than it already is - just wonderful! What can be better for families than spending time together outdoors, car free while exploring the countryside on your doorstep. Children love water, we can’t wait. Well done Hillingdon, let’s have more of it!

Comment by Sue

March 11, 2008 @ 10:44 pm

Something fishy going on here! As a twice daily user of the Lido, I have not found one person who also visits the Lido on a daily basis in favour of this water splash. I would love to see the council investing in the Lido so the whole community can benefit. Of course children will love the water but so will the dogs who are owned by irresponsible people!

Comment by Eileen

March 11, 2008 @ 11:15 pm

I think the idea of a splash pad at the Lido is a great idea! We love the Lido but my children love water and they cant understand why they cant play in the water. We often travel to other parks that have great splash areas for kids. Let’s bring Ruislip Lido up to date! Please keep up the great work and we look forward to a great summer and a great splash! (One request - please make sure it is fenced off and managed correctly e.g. like Cassiobury park or King George V park so it doesnt get misused).

Comment by Helena Pearce

March 12, 2008 @ 2:37 am

I have visited the Lido many times with my children and like many other families found it very hard to deter them from the water during the summer. A splash pool like the one at Cassiobury Park would be a great addition to the local facililities and provide a safe place for kids to play with water. Lets keep local families using local facilities and save us all having to travel out of borough to enjoy a lido!

Comment by david seaman

March 12, 2008 @ 7:27 am

In response to simmon ,comment 14.In order to keep dogs under control and to prevent them from attacking each other,visitors,and wild life,current lido regulations reuire that all dogs shall be kept on leads from woody bay station,around the perimeter of the lido as far as far as willow lawn which is just on the other side of the pub.
For obvious reasons dogs are banned from going on the beach whether they are on leads or not,remember there are no tides to wash this beach.
Regarding the other aspects of anti social behaviour that Simmon mentions we can only hope to educate people who engage in this sort of thing to develop a higher level of CIVIC PRIDE and to take thier rubbish home with them.
I everyone played by the rules things would be much better.

David

Comment by kerri

March 12, 2008 @ 10:05 am

i have a young daughter and i think that the splash area is a great idea as you are not allowed to swim in the lake. the kids somewhere to cool off on those hot summers days. i think it would be superb and hopefully it does go ahead.

kerri

Comment by dee twomey

March 12, 2008 @ 11:25 am

How fustrating that the little ones can look at the water but not go in,yes we do need a splash area and not just for the kids but for all the old moaners going on about cost and appearance,chill out,enjoy life and look at the pleasure it will bring to many.The lido is about kids having fun,and forming a major child hood memory for most.
Will adults be allowed or just kid???

Comment by Nicky

March 12, 2008 @ 11:59 am

To Lottie, comment 10, from miserable moaner Nicky - please join the Friends of Ruislip Lido (membership only £5.00 sign up now!) on one of the Clean Up Days as I have done which aims to educate the public to respect the Lido environment - this I think is the main concern of most of the frequent/daily user of the Lido. To see the mess that is left on a Monday morning after a busy hot summer’s weekend would make you cry.

A lady called Joan who visits the bird life everyday to pick up litter from around the water’s edge (not the pub), has pulled up to 27 disposable barbeque’s from the water after one of these summer weekends, not to mention numerous plastic bags, empty bottles and cans.

We moaners love the Lido and believe it or not love children and want them to have fun!

To Dee Twomey, comment 21, it’s just for children.

Comment by James

March 12, 2008 @ 1:05 pm

I dont have children. I do walk my dog round the Lido and the woods on a daily basis. I have been frequently dismayed by the rubbish visitors leave around the beach area, Willow Lawn & Haste Hill. I have witnessed the thankless task of Shaun, Richard and supporters of the Lido challenging people who let their dogs off the lead both on the beach area are around the jetty area chasing wildfowl & swans.

However none of these existing problems are the fault of the proposed children’s splash pad. They are the fault of inconsiderate selfish users of the Lido. I welcome the splash pad (if constructed in keeping with the environs - so I have to have faith in the friends of ruislip Lido and the council to work to ensure this. I welcome the spash pad because to me it means the Council have an investment in the area, this will mean more litter pickers. This will mean support for Shaun in enforcing the by laws and ensuring people are prosecuted. This will mean that at last the Parks Patrols will pay the Lido some attention and stop the rowdy p

Comment by James (second part)

March 12, 2008 @ 1:13 pm

(sorry pressed send too quickly) …. people and large groups leaving their rubbish behind.

I do feel that the chlldrens splash pad will be a positive attraction to the area and ensure the beach area is fully enjoyed as it should be. It will make sure that the children are able to enjoy the water safely.

By the way - really like the web site!

Comment by Karen Simpson

March 12, 2008 @ 1:49 pm

I think the splash pad will be a valued addition to the Lido, and having seen these in operation else where the children will love it and will add to the ‘beach’ feel of the Lido. At the moment it’s very frustrating for children not to be able to go into the water on a hot day, so this will be welcomed whole heartedly.

Comment by carol

March 12, 2008 @ 2:18 pm

There are irresponsible dog owners who still allow there dogs to fowl pavements, play grounds, the lido etc but I am sure all FORL dog walkers are not , just like the majority of the FORL mums are not the irresponsible ones who leave the soiled nappies, let there kids drop litter or allow there pit bulls to run wild. Unfortunatly you cannot ban either of these types from visiting the Lido. PS: There is nothing fishy going on about the comments from mums, the majority have heard about the splash pad from a posting on a website called: www.netmums.com which is a web site, run by mums, for mums telling them about that is on and where and I can assure you we are all responsible mums who just want there kids to have a happy safe summer time during the summer holidays. Unfortunatly most mums, some of whom like me work full time , look after husbands, small children dont have time to visit the lido twice a day for walks… we are usually too busy running kids around in people carriers just like dog walkers are in there 4 x 4s which are more dangerous than people carriers.

Comment by Carol

March 12, 2008 @ 2:36 pm

Oh simon, how bitter you sound. The majority of the comments made in favour of the splash pad are from mums who have logged onto a web site for mums, run by mums. We are all for it because we use it regularly we support the train, the kiosk the shop etc . You will be pleased to know that we are all responsible mums who want our children to have a stimulating happy summer holiday playing in the sunshine. I agree there are always a few who will let there kids run riot, allow dogs to terrorise small children and leave soiled nappies around, just like there are some dog owners that leave there dogs in hot cars with no ventilation, allow them to fowl pavements, parks, the beach at the lido and scare the living daylights out of other park users but unfortunatly what can we do other than try to educate them and leave signs that they can hopefully read asking them to take pride in the area and then rest of us can report anything that is unsavoury to the park rangers. PS: yes i do drive a people carrier, you try getting 3 kids, pram, shopping, scooter itc into a regular car . At least they are safer than 4 x 4’s favoured by the Doggie set..Oh and ps wouldn’t it be great to have the time to visit the lido twice a day to take the dog for a walk.
What do you do at the lido Simon????

Comment by marie browne

March 12, 2008 @ 4:02 pm

i think the new idea of a splash pad for the children is great,my two little girls love the lido

Comment by Sally

March 12, 2008 @ 8:34 pm

I would just like to say what a wonderful idea I think the new childrens splash pads will be down at ruislip lido. We regularly go down their in the summer with an army of kids who are always disappointed that they are unable to go into the water and play as well as still being able to see the wildlife and walk in the woods. Its fantastic to have something set up to encourage parents/carers to take the children out where they wont have to spend a fortune
Well done Friends of Ruislip Lido!!

Comment by Sally

March 12, 2008 @ 8:37 pm

I would just like to say what a wonderful idea I think the new childrens splash pads will be down at ruislip lido. We regularly go down their in the summer with an army of kids who love going for a walk round the woods and playing on the beach but are always disappointed that they are unable to go into the water and play. Its fantastic to have something set up to encourage parents/carers to take the children out for the day that wont cost a fortune
Well done Friends of Ruislip Lido!!

Comment by Jenny

March 12, 2008 @ 9:52 pm

I think it is a great idea! I will look forward to visitting it

Comment by Mark

March 12, 2008 @ 10:48 pm

Someone emailed us to ask about how to join the Friends. You can use the link above Membership / Donate or else click here - your support will be really appreciated by the Friends.

P.S. You’ll receive a smart FORL badge!

Comment by Colette

March 13, 2008 @ 7:13 am

We have visited the splash pool at Cassiobury Park many times and had such a great day.. It would be lovely to visit and support one in our local area. We think its a great idea and a superb added feature to a quality day out.

Comment by Annette

March 13, 2008 @ 11:29 am

Splash Pool- fantastic idea, but please make sure there are plenty of benches around so it is easier to dry kids off and put on socks & shoes and change them etc. Nothing worse than having to perch on the floor or damp grass etc to dry them off.

Comment by charlotte

March 13, 2008 @ 1:13 pm

Disposable barbies,beer cans,pit bulls on the loose,dirty nappies,sounds like a weekend festival other than the lido we all love.

Lets try and make it a better place for all to enjoy and to pass over to the next generation .
Work together and stop the bickering about something not yet built.

Comment by Claire

March 13, 2008 @ 10:20 pm

I think that a splash pool would be a great addition to the Lido at Ruislip. It’s good to see that us Hillingdon mums will have a choice of parks with splash pools to choose from in our own Borough rather than having to travel further afield.

Comment by Vicky

March 15, 2008 @ 5:04 pm

I love taking my two children to the Lido and enjoy meeting friends with their children there. A splash pool would be great for the children to cool off in and have fun.

When I was a child we used to be able to swim in the Lido and take boats out. The splash pool sounds like a brilliant idea for the children to cool off in.

The recent works that have been undertaken at the Lido have made a very positive change and lets hope the splash pool can add to this.

Thanks to the “Lido Friends” who do such valuable work.

Comment by Angela

March 15, 2008 @ 9:02 pm

We are regular visitors to the Lido and always choose to use the FORL cafe and the train to show our support. A splash pad would be a great addition. As others have commented there are always the selfish few who aren’t responsible and spoil things but let’s not judge everybody by this.

Comment by Lorna

March 16, 2008 @ 3:44 pm

I think it’a a great idea installing a splash pool at the lido. It’s so frustrating for children not to be allowed to go into the water because it’s unsafe, and hard for them to understand too.I don’t think it will have any detrimental effect on the area at all. There’s still plenty of ‘natural’ lido, all it’s doing is enhancing the current childrens area. I don’t see how it would affect someone at all if they don’t have children, as they wouldn’t be playing on the sand in the first place. Every parent I know would welcome any additional fun facility for their childrens’ enjoyment.It’s very hard these days to take your children on a fun day out that is cost free. I’m very excited about it!

Comment by Richa Kumar Khosla

March 18, 2008 @ 10:48 pm

I think the splash pool is a great plan. I am sure all parents in the borough will support this idea. The majority of visitors are responsible, we should not let the minority prevent further enhancements and improvements to this great local facility.

Comment by Martin

March 25, 2008 @ 10:02 am

If all the people who have made a comment about the splash ( pool ) had come to the meeting in January then they would have seen that what is being built is not a pool as is to be found at Casiobury Park but a Pad.Described at the meeting as a cusioned play area with water jets.Hope all you mums with toddlers enjoy.

Comment by Eileen

June 2, 2008 @ 9:08 pm

Hi,
Just wanted to know what is happening with the splash pad for the Lido? We are really looking forward to it but was at the Lido at the weekend and there is no sign of it yet?