If you’re not happy with the drinking water provided at your local park, contact your local council to ask them to improve it.
- Find you local council website. If you have trouble finding it, see http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories/Localcouncils/AToZOfLocalCouncils/DG_A-Z_LG.
- Search for the executive member for green space or environment.
- Send them an email telling them about your park research (you may wish to use or customise the template letter below). It would be great if you could include any views/opinions from children or young people you know.
- Copy your email to the Children’s Food Campaign at Christine@sustainweb.org. Please send a copy of the response you receive to Drinking Water in Parks, Children’s Food Campaign, 94 White Lion Street, London, N1 9PF – this information will be crucial in enabling us to build up a picture of councils across the country.
Template letter
Your address
Councillor’s name
Council address
Date
Dear Councillor,
I am writing to ask about the council’s policy on providing drinking water in public parks. We know that playing and running about can be thirsty work, and that it is better to drink water than soft drinks to quench thirst.
Health professionals tell us that the increased consumption of sugary drinks by children and young people is a significant factor in the alarming rise of obesity rates. Providing drinking water at places where children and young people play and congregate would be a great way to encourage hydration, without damaging their health or the environment.
I recently visited [your park’s name] and was dismayed to notice [details e.g. no fountains, not enough fountains, fountains not working properly, fountains difficult to find].
I would like to see new drinking fountains installed and signposted. Please could you tell me if this is something you will consider doing in time for next year’s school holidays?
Best wishes,
Your name
Download this template letter as a 25kb word document
