Hundreds of people flocked to the swimming lake at Beckenham Place Park to soak up the sun just hours after an air ambulance was called to a child who was rescued from the water.
Families with children, dog walkers and other groups seemed unfazed by safety concerns raised by some parents after the child, believed to be a boy, was taken to hospital with minor injuries on Monday afternoon.
The banks of the lake were packed with people on Tuesday morning as children paddled in the shallow water and swimmers took laps of the area.
One dog walker taking a break on the bank told News Shopper she thought the swimming lake was “brilliant.”
She said: “There have been a few teething problems but I’m sure that will all get resolved.
The woman, who thinks the £6.8 million renovation of the park was well worth the wait, is planning on going for a swim tomorrow after trying to book a slot for wild water swimming since the lake was unveiled on Saturday.
READ MORE: Beckenham Place Park swimming lake feared 'unsafe' by parents
Katie, a mum-of-one from West Wickham, went for a swim with her boyfriend in the lake on Monday evening.
“It was absolutely lovely,” she told News Shopper.
Accompanied by her 14-month-old son, Reuben and mum Angela, Katie said parents must be as careful as possible.
“I think you just have to be as vigilant as you would if you were in any lake or any swimming pool.
“Ultimately, you are responsible for your child.”
Down on the bank of the lake, nine-year-old Eddie was enjoying a C.S Lewis book after having a dip in the water.
“I think it’s really good because it’s somewhere on your doorstep where you can have a splash around.”
After the child was rescued from the water on Monday afternoon, several concerned parents told News Shopper about their fears.
READ MORE: Swimming lake in Beckenham park opened to the public
Ben, a father-of-two, said: “If you go to a local leisure centre, children aren’t allowed in the water unsupervised.
“You hear stories in the summer about children and even young men who have drowned.
“Who’s going to take responsibility when there’s another little coffin led out of there?”
Other parents described how their children panicked when the water in the splash area suddenly got deeper.
According to PTP, which runs lifeguarding and canoeing at the wild swimming lake, the area is closed on Mondays, meaning no lifeguards are stationed there.
A Lewisham Council spokeswoman said regulations around the use of the lake are “explicit” on the PTP website.
She said: “Safety is of paramount importance at the lake. There is clear signage beside the lake stating the opening times and regulations around lake use.
“Lewisham Council compiled a full health and safety assessment which was overseen by professionals.”
The spokeswoman added parents will be reminded they must keep their children under supervision, particularly outside of opening hours.
According to the PTP website, the minimum age for open water swimming is eight years old, and children must be able to swim 25 metres.
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