Meersbrook Park toilets pledge after plea from fed-up Sheffield parents

A 67-name petition calling for toilets in buildings at Meersbrook Park to be made available to the public was discussed at a meeting of Sheffield City Council’s communities parks and leisure policy committee (September 25).

The online petition, launched by Sarah Saunderson, called on the council to either allow daily access for the public to the buildings in Meersbrook Park to allow them to use the toilet facilities or provide public toilets near the playground.

It added: “The park is heavily used by parents and families and many others who just can’t make it back up the big hill when caught out and can’t afford to go to a cafe and buy something just to use the toilet.

“It would be a huge asset which would be appreciated by all. Even if just allowed to use one toilet in the building at the top. There’s nothing worse than busting for the loo but not being able to go due to screaming children who won’t leave the playground fast enough so you can make it.

“There’s a toilet in the walled garden that can only be accessed at times when it is opened to the public, there are toilets in the other building but we can’t access them.”

Read this: Controversial road changes made permanent

Read this: Cycle route road changes confirmed

Buildings in the park are the bowls club, walled garden, pavilion, Bishops House and Meersbrook Hall. There are no public toilets or cafe within the park.

Ms Saunderson was not at the meeting so committee chair Coun Richard Williams read from a written reply that will be sent to her. He said that toilets are an important part of green spaces and facilities, allowing more people to visit or to stay for longer on visits.

He said the council was reviewing options to find toilet facilities for the park.

Coun Tony Downing asked if the cafe nearby could be approached to allow people to use the toilet without buying anything. He said that custom would probably increase overall.