A selection of green spaces across Bristol will get a slice of the cash
Greville Smyth Park, on the doorstep of Ashton Gate, will be one of the places to benefit
There was joy among families and skaters in east Bristol when the council announced nearly £700,000 had been allocated to upgrade play equipment and the skatepark in St George Park.
The massive investment is part of a £1.1m cash boost for green spaces and play areas around the city. Money to upgrade the parks has come from the city’s Community Infrastructure Levy, which is charged to developers when they are granted planning permission for a large new building.
Here’s a full breakdown of where that money will be spent:
- Bannerman Road Park, Lawrence Hill (£200,000): renewal of one of the city’s oldest play areas, located near the Frome Gateway growth area, to replace equipment that is being removed on safety grounds.
- St George Park, St George West (£680,000): a major upgrade to transform provision for children and young people, including the renewal of the wheels (skate) park – one of only five in the city – and improvements to the play area.
- Purdown Open Space, Lockleaze (£50,000): additional funding to support a new play facility in an area the council describes as ‘experiencing significant growth’, ensuring local children have access to high-quality play within a 10-minute walk from home.
- Argyle Road Playing Fields (Barton Fields), Hillfields (£50,000): enhancements to an existing project to add more play equipment and meet ‘community aspirations’ near major housing developments.
- Greville Smyth Park and other sites (£120,000): upgrades to concession pitches with water and power supplies and improvements to a key entrance to the park, which the council says will create opportunities for events and income generation to reinvest in parks.
The council said it had focused funding on parts of the city with booming populations. The projects will be delivered between 2026 and 2028, and locals in each area will be given the chance to chime in with their design ideas.
Councillor Stephen Williams, Chair of the Public Health and Communities Committee, said: “Our parks and green spaces are amongst the crown jewels of our city.
“These spaces are vitally important to our city’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, and this investment recognises the value in which we hold them. Our Parks and Green Spaces strategy sets out the approach we are taking to protecting and nurturing these spaces for all to enjoy.”
Cllr Williams said investment into the city’s green spaces wouldn’t be limited to the parks lucky enough to be chosen to benefit from the latest round of funding.
“We won’t be stopping here either, with a list of prospective projects ripe for investment we will be working closely across the council and with partners to secure the funds needed so that all areas of our city continue to reap the benefits of our glorious green and open spaces.”