The splash pads at the Riverside outdoor pool area in Wallingford are set to reopen on July 19 just in time for the school summer holidays.

The outdoor pool and campsite at Riverside reopened at the end of May, the start of the normal season for the site following Covid safety guidelines.

South Oxfordshire District Council and their leisure contractors GLL felt that it would be difficult to manage social distancing and restrict numbers around the splash pads so delayed their reopening until restrictions had been lifted to ensure the safety of the public and the staff on site.

The splash park now has two new creatures, a river monster and crocodile. These 'riverside creatures' need names and the council is giving residents the chance to vote for the names of the model crocodiles.

These are the names to choose from: Olivia, Amelia , Isla, Ava, Mia, Isabella, Sophia, Grace, Lily, Freya, Oliver, George, Noah, Arthur, Harry, Leo, Muhammad, Jack, Charlie, Oscar.

Voting is now open and will close at midnight on Sunday July 18. The winning names will be announced on Monday July 19.

Councillor Maggie Filipova-Rivers said: “The Riverside pool has been really popular so far this season. The reopening of the splash pads is going to be so much fun for families. Plus, while they have been out of use, we have been able to add a couple of new creatures.

"A river monster and crocodile have 'swum up the Thames' and settled themselves next to the splash pads. I can’t wait to see what names are chosen for them.”

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