After several warnings, the Barcelona City Council has decided to temporarily close the Mirall d’Aigua del Parc de les Glòries to avoid what had been happening: that it was used as a makeshift pool for children who went to play in the park.
As the consistory had been warning, the fountain is not adapted for bathing and therefore its use as an “urban swimming pool” endangers the safety of people, especially children.
According to the first deputy mayor, Laia Bonet, the water is recirculated and is not treated for bathing, and in addition, the slippery pavement can cause falls. Although signage and police surveillance had been reinforced, the City Council has finally opted to close the fountain during the summer months. The measure is part of the accident prevention and public health plan, and responds to the increasing inappropriate use of the space with the arrival of the heat.
The good news: the fountain will return to normal operation in September.
In the meantime, it is recommended to use the water play spaces set up by the City Council in other parks in the city, as part of the weather shelter plan to combat the high temperatures.
The spaces enabled for water play are the following, also listed on this municipal website:
- Entorns de la Casa de l’Aigua de la Trinitat Vella.
- Jardins de Sant Joan de Déu, les Corts.
- Parc de les Glòries.
- Plaça del Maresme, Besòs and Maresme.
- Juan Ramón Jiménez street, Canyelles.
- Parc de les Rieres d’Horta.
- Parc del Canòdrom, el Congrés i els Indians.
- Plaça de la Lluita per les Llibertats, Bon Pastor.