Halle (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Halle launches its new fountain square, offering residents a refreshing public space to cool down as summer heatwaves become increasingly common in urban areas.
These days, Halle also includes a space where kids can stroll through water fountains. In recent days, the library’s installation was tested. The square’s unique form allows it to flood during hot weather.
The refurbished library in the heart of Halle, Belgium, had a joyous opening a year ago. The fountain that had been in front of the library for years left residents wondering what had happened to it.
A grassy plaza with a pond abruptly gave way to a concrete plain. However, it is only now, with the first heat wave, that the multifunctional square’s potential has become apparent.
“We now have a fountain square. We have tested everything in the past few days and everything works fine. Children immediately came to play in the water,”
says Alderman for Heritage Sven Pletincx (N-VA).
You can’t jump in a regular fountain. But here children are allowed to walk between the fountains and water jets.
“The sloping square has underground rainwater reservoirs. In warm weather we can flood the square up to 30 centimetres. We do this by closing off the drain. Children can come and play in the water feature, but you can also read a book from the library on the bench, while your feet are in the water. Of course we can let the water drain away again and then you can use the square for all kinds of activities. Because in the winter we turn off the fountain. We do want to decorate the square even better and make it greener to make it even more attractive”,
says alderman Pletincx.
The first reactions to the fountain square are positive.
“People immediately made use of it in the warm weather. This makes it a good place to cool off in the city. We also have a water playground for children at the swimming pool. Whether we will also allow swimmers in a part of the canal in Halle in the future, we will have to investigate that with the Flemish Waterway. At the moment, that is not yet the case.”
What safety features are included in the water fountain installation for children?
The fountains probably prevent standing water pools, which lowers the risk of drowning. Instead, they employ splash pads, bubblers, or sprays where the water is shallow and constantly flowing, making it safer for kids to play and move.
In order to reduce sharp edges and rough surfaces and minimize injuries from falls or bumps, the materials and edges surrounding the fountains are rounded and smooth.
The interactive features and water jets are conveniently accessible without posing a climbing risk because they are positioned at kid-safe heights.
Non-slip materials were used in the construction of the ground surrounding the fountains to lessen the possibility of sliding and falling when wet.
