I am a local parent living in Warwick District, and like many families in Leamington Spa, Warwick and the surrounding areas, I regularly use our public parks with my children.

For many of us, Victoria Park in Leamington Spa and St Nicholas Park in Warwick are not just parks. They are places where children run around, families meet, parents get a little breathing space, and young children can enjoy simple outdoor play without everything costing money.

The paddling pools at these parks are especially important during warm weather, school holidays and weekends. They are one of the few free outdoor water-play facilities available locally for young children.

But once again, both paddling pools remain closed, with no clear reopening date for families.

For many children, this means another school break and possibly another summer without a much-loved local facility. For many parents, it means trying to find alternatives that may cost money, require transport, or simply are not suitable for very young children.

This petition is asking Warwick District Council for two clear things:

1. A clear public explanation

Residents deserve a proper, plain-English explanation of what has gone wrong.

We are asking the council to clearly explain:

Why the paddling pools are still closed

What repair or technical problems remain

How much public money has been spent so far

Who is responsible for fixing the issue

Whether any costs are being recovered from contractors or warranties

When families can realistically expect the pools to reopen

These are public facilities, paid for by residents. It is reasonable for residents to ask what has happened, why the problem has continued, and when it will be resolved.

2. Temporary family arrangements for this summer

If the paddling pools cannot open soon, then families should not simply be left with closed gates and no alternative.

We are asking Warwick District Council to arrange temporary summer support for local families, such as:

Free or discounted family swim sessions at local leisure centres

Children’s activity or leisure vouchers

Extra free outdoor family activities during school holidays

Pop-up water play sessions where safe and possible

Clear weekly public updates until the pools reopen

Clear information on what families can use instead while the pools remain closed

This is not about asking for luxury. It is about fairness.

Not every family has a garden.

Not every family has an outside tap.

Not every family has a car.

Not every family can afford paid activities every week.

Not every child can cope with long journeys or busy indoor places.

Some families live in flats. Some have very young children. Some rely on walkable, free, public spaces. For those families, these paddling pools really matter.

A cheap paddling pool at home is not an option for everyone. A hose pipe is not an option for everyone. Paid swimming sessions are not affordable for everyone. That is exactly why free public facilities exist.

This issue is also about accountability. Significant public money has been spent on these paddling pools, yet families still cannot use them when they are needed most. Residents deserve transparency, urgency and a practical solution.

We are not attacking council staff. We understand that repairs and safety checks can take time. But families also need to be considered while delays continue.

If the pools are closed during spring and summer, the council should arrange a fair temporary alternative.

Our request is simple:

Explain clearly what has happened.

Give families a realistic reopening update.

Provide temporary summer alternatives until the pools reopen.

Please sign this petition if you agree that local families should not be left with closed paddling pools, no clear answers, and no practical alternative this summer.

Together, we can ask Warwick District Council to act fairly, transparently and urgently for local families.