Summer time used to mean children were on the streets for most of the day. Technology has changed this a bit, but one artist felt nostalgic when looking at old photos of children playing. "If you look at photographs in the 1900s you see these beautiful empty streets with all the kids playing out," the artist, Luke Jerram, told the BBC. "It's an extraordinary thing and all that has been taken away."
This nostalgia brought on the idea for a 300-foot water slide, right in the middle of the street! Nearly 100,000 people wanted to ride the slide. They entered a lottery and only 360 were chosen, but many others took the day as an excuse to be outside.
This was paid for by an online funding drive, as the organizers refused corporate sponsorship. All of the rides, though limited, were free. The slide was made from hay bales and tarpaulins and used a mixture of water and dish soap to give riders a bit more speed as they slid on an inflatable raft.
Bristol plans to hold similar events on the first Sunday of every month this summer.
