1/30/2019

William Birch Pool

Although I could find very little information on the place, I  did find a few articles.

The Ototoka Stream feeds what was once a community swimming pool known as 
William Birch Pool.
It was built in the 1934 and used by Maxwell School, nearby, according to this site.


Since it wasn't easy to get to the ocean, the Pool became a public place for swimming.


After falling into disrepair, it was filled in with dirt and then eventually restored according to this article with public toilets installed at the entrance gate.


As we sat on a bench eating our lunch, I could imagine the activity this place saw at the height of its popularity with moms in their modest suits watching young ones in the shallow end and older children jumping off the diving board at the other end.



It seems that the water quality is the main reason it isn't maintained.


It's easy to see why it was a popular place and, even though I never saw it in its heyday, 
I feel quite sad that it sits unused.

12 comments:

kiwikid said...

That is a great looking place, what a shame it is not being used today.

Marja said...

Looks like a great place for a swim and a cool down from the heat. A shame it isn't used anymore

Hetty said...

I feel the same, too bad it isn't used anymore. The waterfall is lovely! Groetjes,
Hetty

Calendula said...

A very nice place to visit. And really a bit sad that it isn't used anymore.

Sallysmom said...

Good pics.

Anne (cornucopia) said...

Great photos. It does look like it was wonderful to go to in its heyday. It's a shame it fell into disrepair. It is still lovely to view. It sounds like you had an enjoyable visit there. Thank you for sharing your photos with everyone.

Nancy Chan said...

Its a pity that this place is not used anymore. Looks like a great place for families to enjoy a picnic and where young children can play in the water.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

Beautiful images of a lovely place. Happy Friday, enjoy your weekend.

Amy said...

oh that is sad but I bet the water quality was alot cleaner and hygienic when it was originally used, these days people don't really care.

KB said...

That's such a shame.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I sort of chuckled at your comment about modest suits. I am in Costa Rica right now and some of the bathing suits are barely visible from the rear! There's not a whole lot at the front either!

aspiritofsimplicity said...

It does look rather sad and lonely. I was imagining people swimming there as well. It's beautiful.