Otterbine brings new life to South Park in Darlington

The background

South Park, Darlington prides itself on having something for everyone, from a multi-use games area to an aviary, café, bandstand, skate park, bowling green, green gym, childrens’ play area. As a Grade II listed place of historical interest and the proud owner of a Green Flag Award, this is an important public area.

In 2022 the lake in the town’s historic South Park was chosen by Darlington Council to receive two Otterbine fountains in an attempt to improve the health of the water and bring new life to the park.

The brief

Brian Graham, Head of Environmental Services and a team of 200 at Darlington Council since 2006, tasked himself to make South Park even more inviting by getting rid of the algae in the lake and elevating its presentation. An aeration system was needed to achieve clean and healthy water, and after learning of a colleague who had an Otterbine fountain installed, the solution was clear.

The results

Otterbine distributor Reesink Turfcare provided Darlington Council with two 1HP Sunburst aerating fountains, organising the finance and arranging for lake specialist Clearwater Pond and Lake Management to complete the installation. The whole process took just two days.

The fountains provided two new aesthetically pleasing elements to the lake and a new focal point to the park, as well as prevented algae from forming on the top and accumulating around the edges. They created a cleaner look and healthy water, getting rid of odours and aquatic weeds in the process.

Designed to give both function and beauty, the Sunburst can operate in as little as 75cm of water and can move over three times as much water than decorative patterns (pumping up to 237 cubic metres per hour), thanks to its open-throat propeller design.