Lord Mayor to make a Splash as he opens water play area

The "Splash" play area, at Millhouses Park, is already up and running and involves channels, dams, Archimedes screws, hand pumps and a "water tree" in an area of the park that has historically been famous for its connection with water.

Richard Excell, from the Friends of Millhouses Park, said: "Along with so many others, I have such fond memories of the old water play facilities at Millhouses. This was always going to be a popular project."

Tomorrow's official opening by the Lord Mayor, Coun Alan Law, coincides with the completion of a 100,000 fish pass project on the River Sheaf, that has seen the old paddling pools alongside the railway line transformed into a natural habitat that will allow fish to move up the river and bypass the two weirs.

Coun Shaffaq Mohammed, Sheffield Council's cabinet member for communities, said: "This is a fantastic new play space for local children to enjoy throughout the year.

"Our officers and the Friends of Millhouses Park have worked very hard to raise the funding to make it happen. It's great to see it finished and it's great to see that it's a big hit with local people."

The water play area is part of the Government-funded "Playbuilder" scheme, which aims to improve and increase children's opportunities for play.

Funding for the Splash play area has come from organisations including Sheffield Council, the Big Lottery Fund, Yorkshire Water and the Environment Agency.

The council's "Activity Sheffield" team is also set to run a series of water-based events in the park throughout the summer.

Meanwhile, the fish pass, or fish ladder, will make it easier for fish in the River Sheaf – mainly brown trout – to tackle the current and swim upstream past the park.

It is hoped the work will not only benefit the fish, but also birds and mammals found along the river such as otters, water voles, dippers and kingfishers.

This project was the first phase of a long-term plan by Sheffield Council to improve fish passage to 28 weirs on the River Sheaf, creating a wildlife link between the Peak District and the city centre.