A new interactive water play area opens this Summer at popular Hertfordshire attraction, Standalone Farm. 

Set into stone cobbles, the space features pumps, water channels and dam gates, and "offers an educational and entertaining new way to have fun on the farm".

The water play is the latest part of a collaborative development between Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation which owns and operate Standalone Farm, and ResilienTogether. 

ResilienTogether is a collaborative project that brings together a range of partners, including Central Bedfordshire Council and Hertfordshire County Council, to improve the management of the Pix Brook catchment.

It is funded by DEFRA and will run for six years until March 2027. As well as management of flooding and other issues, this partnership is focussed on creating an Environment and Resilience education hub and learning resource at Standalone Farm.

Jason Valentine is Venues Manager at Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation. He said: "It's been a fascinating journey working with ResilienTogether so far. 

The play area 'offers an educational and entertaining new way to have fun on the farm' (image supplied)

"We've learned a lot about how our farm impacts on the Pix Brook, and vice versa. I'm really pleased that young people now have the chance to learn about the brook whilst having a great time in our new water play area – another great reason to bring the family down to Standalone Farm this summer."

ResilienTogether, has provided a financial contribution towards the play area as part of this collaborative development, with investment also being made by the Heritage Foundation. 

Standalone Farm plays a pivotal role in the ResilienTogether engagement plan and the shared ambition to develop an education hub and public engagement resource.

For example, engaging younger children (2-7) through the construction of outdoor tactile play learning resources related to the local water environment and flooding.

In addition, earlier this year ResilienTogether has created and installed Oscar the Otter Riverside Ramble which is an interactive educational walk along the Pix and the partnerships intends to engage with older children via renovation of the barns at Standalone Farm into an indoor education hub and events space with interactive learning resources relating to climate change, flood risk, water quality local environment and reliance. 

You can follow the progress of the water play project online at www.letchworth.com and at the ResilienTogether project at www.resilientogether.org.uk.

Cllr Tracey Wye stated: "We hope children enjoy the new interactive water play area and Oscar the Otter's Riverside Ramble.

"Our goal is to educate them about flood risk, water quality, and nature, while also enhancing their well-being and inspiring them to take care of the local stream running through Standalone Farm."