Watermead Country Park – Paradise on Our Doorstep

I’ve enjoyed the Syston end of Watermead for fifty years. In those early days it was known as ‘the gravel pits’, but even then a visit was an incredible adventure for my children, dogs and me.

Now we hear that science supports the idea that wild-life, green spaces and roaming free for a while with nothing to restrict us, is essential to our mental, physical and even emotional health. There’s a shorter way of saying those underlined words. It is ‘happiness’ and though we British avoid the word if we can, it was demonstrated clearly over the summer, when there were more families than I’ve ever seen before in the park.

To see children running, delighted to escape from their cages, as were their mums, dads and grandparents; was a joy. Covid 19 has done some awful things, but the very real appreciation of places like Watermead is a plus we didn’t expect.

The withdrawal of the more sophisticated entertainments; the need for many of us to work at home and the fear of too much contact has sent us back to our traditional space with wild creatures, lakes, rivers and trees – just like we were two-hundred years ago. And it is on our doorstep!

It seems that only 10% of people in Syston have ever been to Watermead Park. It’s like Londoners never go to see the sights in the capital. Too near, you see? Those of us that do go would like a café, a visitor centre, but most of all a toilet. The old ones, near John Merrick’s and King Lear’s lakes, sank into the ground after last year’s floods.

Amused though I was by the three men last week who, having had fun playing with their boats, stood in full view side-by-side at a tree to relieve themselves.

‘Lucky beggars,’ I thought ‘even the park is patriarchal.’ But it’s not really funny. Not a bit. And it’s not just older females like me who are not served. Mothers do not want to encourage their toddlers to pee and poo on the grass.

The investment, the toilets themselves and the cleaners for them, by the County Council will be rewarded by the knock-on effect of healthier, happier people. Isn’t that what parks are for? Without toilets, people are afraid to visit, especially woman. It is neither easy nor desirable for us to squat!

Even if you are not a regular visitor now, when the new Covid 19 rules bite you may become one. Please write or email the County Council – Country Parks Department and ask for toilets, like those available in other counties. Leicestershire and Watermead deserve them.

Hope to see you on the park soon.
Maureen