25 June 2019
A new drinking fountain for people and pooches has been installed at Winton Recreation Ground.
The new addition was put in place in time for National Refill Day, which took place on Wednesday June 19, and is a public awareness campaign to prevent single-use plastic bottles pollution.
During the initiative, people were encouraged to carry a reusable water bottle and refill on the go.
The new drinking fountain has three water dispense areas, one for our four-legged friends, one for people and one to refill water bottles.
The drinking fountain was funded by through the Bournemouth Local Improvement Fund. The fund provides money to be spent on projects recommended by local councillors in consultation with their communities.
The Bournemouth Parks Foundation, a local charity dedicated to enhancing our parks, also donated to the project.
BCP Council member Simon Bull, representing Winton East ward, said: "I am really pleased to see the water fountain installed at Winton Recreation Ground, especially as it is being so well used by park users and their dogs.
“It is a great way to encourage people to reduce their use of plastic, particularly with National Refill Day this week."
Meanwhile, Bournemouth Parks Foundation manager Cathi Farrer said: "It is brilliant to be able to fund another drinking fountain in one of our beautiful parks.” There is already one at Hengistbury Head, and the next one is planned for Fisherman’s Walk.
The project hopes to create networks of drinking fountains across Bournemouth’s parks to help reduce the number of throwaway plastic bottles people use and protect wildlife from plastic pollution.
Visit https://www.bournemouthparksfoundation.org.uk/our-projects/doggie-drinkers-and-water-fountains/ for further information.
This article is based on an item published in the Bournemouth Echo. The full story and photograph of Simon with the fountain can be read here.
