Hundreds enjoy family fun at WaterWorks Open Day
Date Published: 15/04/2010
Over seven hundred excited visitors made the WaterWorks Nature Reserve and Golf Centre Open Day a fantastic success on Wednesday 14 April.
“It’s the most successful open day we have ever had!” said a delighted WaterWorks Manager Angie Oliva. “All bookable events were sold out early and the verbal feedback has been tremendous.”
Families and children came from Haringey, Islington, Enfield, Waltham Forest, Hackney, South End and even Harlow to experience fabulous free activities, including balloon modelling, face painting, arts and crafts, Tri-Golf sessions, seed planting and the opportunity to get up close and personal with exotic animals.
“There were over 120 children clamouring to play Tri Golf and the demand was such that we ran eight animal shows with Tropical Inc.,” adds Angie Oliva. “The café was bursting at the seams! It was great to see so many smiling faces, including the adults, and we can’t wait for the next open day. The team work was also incredible - everyone worked and pulled together to ensure the complete success of the day.”
The WaterWorks Nature Reserve and Golf Centre is an urban treasure located just a few miles from the city of London.
The nature reserve now houses one of the largest bird hides in London and attracts a variety of birds, mammals, reptiles and insects. Over 350 species of plants have been found on the site. As well as nature, the centre has a par 3, 18 hole golf course, great for improving your short game and comes complete with a driving range and golf shop. The centre also specializes in teaching golf to people of all ages and abilities, with particular emphasis on Tri-Golf, a fantastic game introducing youngsters to the sport.
Notes to Editors
About Lee Valley Regional Park
Lee Valley Regional Park is playing an active part in the London 2012 Games. The new White Water Canoe Centre (just north of the M25 between Waltham Abbey and Waltham Cross) and the VeloPark and Hockey and Tennis Centres in Olympic Park will be owned, managed and funded by Lee Valley Regional Park in legacy. They join our existing sports facilities which include Lee Valley’s Athletics Centre, Riding Centre and Ice Centre to create a chain of sporting excellence across the region.
WaterWorks Nature Reserve and Golf Centre
Over 150 years old, the site was once home to the East London Waterworks Company which provided drinking water to the surrounding boroughs until the site was shut down in the late 1970’s. In 1986 the site was officially handed over to Lee Valley Regional Park Authority and has been managed as a nature reserve ever since. In 2002, one of the largest bird hides was built over the central well head providing a fantastic ‘Close Up On Wildlife’ experience. Over 322 species of plants, 25 species of breeding birds and a quarter of all British butterflies have been recorded on the reserve. There is an interpretation area within the Visitor Centre providing information on the wildlife and history of the Filter Beds.
As a starter centre for golf, the centre works with neighbouring Picketts Lock course to enable us to promote our developing golfers when they reach the stage where it would be of benefit to them to use a full size 18 hole course.
We also deliver Tri and Extreme Golf to schools throughout the region, along with our Youth and Schools team who hold nature and education sessions at the WaterWorks for school children of all ages.
Waterworks Nature Reserve, Lammas Road, off Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, London E10 7NU
Press Information:
For more information please contact Lee Valley Regional Park Authority:
Michelle Rosenberg: 01992 709 830, (M) 07920 810 403, (E) mrosenberg@leevalleypark.org.uk