Open Brussels canals for recreation, urges green party

Members of Brussels’ green party Groen Brussel on Sunday took part in the Big Jump, an event which sees thousands of European citizens go for a swim in their local rivers, lakes and waterways to raise awareness of the need for safer, cleaner public water, writes brusselnieuws.be.

In Belgium, proponents took part by jumping into bodies of water across the country, including Brussels' canals. “In Brussels there is an acute shortage of clean and safe water for outdoor recreational activities,'' said Brussels MEP Annemie Maes on brusselnieuws.be. “Every summer that shortfall is painfully obvious, especially for Brussels residents who stay home during the holiday period. Why should they not be entitled to a refreshing dip?''

“Throughout Europe, ponds, canals and streams are set aside for recreation, even when they are still used as waterways. Our Brussels canals need not be an exception,” Maes told brusselnieuws.be. “On Sundays, when there is no traffic on the canals, a set of buoys could define a safe swimming area,” the party proposes. “A simple and inexpensive solution to the acute shortage of water recreation in the city, provided of course that the water is clean.”