EAST Park's paddling pool will not reopen before the end of the school holidays, after several children who visited it were infected with parasites.
It was closed two weeks ago and now Hull City Council say it will not reopen before children go back to school.
Since mid-July, 18 people – mainly children – have been diagnosed with cryptosporidiosis, an illness which causes diarrhoea.
Andy Burton, street-scene manager for Hull City Council, said: "Cryptosporidium testing requires specialist equipment, which has been brought up from London.
"Testing is still being undertaken at the play feature and, due to the nature of the testing and its analysis requirements, it will not reopen before its normal seasonal closure at the end of the school holidays."
Although the cause of the infection is not yet known, a city council investigation has revealed some of the infected children had visited the East Park paddling pool.
The infection is passed on through animal-to-human or human-to-human contact.
People can also be infected by consuming contaminated water or food, or by swimming in contaminated water.
The paddling pool is a popular feature in East Park and parents have been left disappointed by its closure.
Yesterday, dozens of families were seen having picnics in the park, in the play areas and pavilion café. Many wanted to use the paddling pool facilities but were met with a notice saying they were still closed.
Sonia Thompson, 47, went along with her two young grandchildren and said they were looking forward to using the pool.
She said: "They were in it about three or four days before it closed and we then read the story about it being shut on the internet. Thankfully, the children weren't ill.
"We thought the paddling pool might be back open by now."
At the time of its closing, Andrew Taylor, acting director of public health at Hull City Council, said: "We have learnt that a number of those who have been ill have recently visited East Park.
"It is not possible to confirm the source of the infections at this time."
Sonia, of Gilberdyke, said the family often visit East Park and it was a shock when children fell ill after using the pool.
She said: "It's a shame it's not opening again before the end of the holidays.
"People will be disappointed and the children have been asking to go in it."
Melanie Graham, of Hessle, was also visiting the park with her children Maisie, 3, and Mason, 6.
She said: "We came to East Park and hoped the pool would be open but were then told what had happened.
"It's quite worrying and does make you wary.
"Even when it's open again, I think quite a few people may be put off from using it."
