Closing up a pond...temporarily....

Has anyone had to close a pond because of grandchildren? We always said we'd bury ours as soon as GS started walking. He's 19 mo. and running now. Our yard dips down in back where small pond is and not immediately visible from patio. We'll need to puncture the liner, fill it with dirt and then cover it with limestone to match the rest of the area. We can't fence the area, and have tried to think of other means of temporarily keeping him away from it. He's taken the water-proofing classes, which just seems to make him more apt to "jump in." I'm just curious if anyone else has closed pond temp. Do they outgrow their facination with 'em eventually? We live near Barton Creek and have taken him there. He has no fear of the water.
We've already drained the small one in our courtyard. Plan to fill it with river rock around a pump and just have a small water feature.
Sandi

It seems a shame that you can't enjoy both grandkids and pond. Could you install a "kiddie catcher" metal grid just below water level? I've seen underwater grids in ponds in public gardens.

June....what a great solution! I just read your reply and relayed it to my husband. He thinks it may be feasible to try it before we opt for something more permanent. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks so much!

Have you thought about a small picket fence--just tall enough to keep the litte people from climbing over? How about swimming lessons at the local Y. I know that toddlers can be taught to swim.

I have a very small but 3ft deep well around my birdbath. I had terrible fears that my learning to walk grandson would topple into it head first. Even with watchful eyes I was afraid he would get hurt. We did a pretty good job of filling it with upended weighted milk crates. They filled up the space the small fish we keep there could move around and with the right plants they were barely noticed. Your right about the swimming classes makes them think they can just jump in anytime they want to. Totally no fear. They really do work though. We started my son (now 24) at 6 mo and he was not much over a year old, when he fell into the pool. I was right there he just toppled in before I could grab him. I hopped in and grabbed him and he hadn't swallowed any water at all. As soon as he hit the water he held his breath.

We found that there's some plastic grating that can be trimmed to fit the space. It was suggested that we drop a few concrete blocks in to hold up the grate, but I like the idea of the milk crates better. We're just back from a weekend at the lake with family, including toddler. Have huge yard to play in...but he wanted to be in the water.... we're all exhausted from watching him every minute. And I thought our little fish pond was a problem! Hoping to work on pond project this week. Thanks for milk crate idea!

Glad I could help, We set a few rocks on top to help weigh them down and you can zip tie them together very easily. Grandchildren are wonderful but exhausting. Besides the small water feature we have a pool. Unc Josh has a place on an island in the River and there is a State Park with large lake were they go to canoe just minutes from their house. Keeping grandson JR water safe was a real priority for all of us.

'nother good idea...zip ties!

FWIW,
I've seen hardware cloth across a pond and secured with long stakes...no chance of a kid getting wet and the light still reaches the plants.

David