Photos show the ‘depressing’ state of the playground now after the star attraction was removed
Workers beginning to remove the climbing frame from the play area on Bellevue Road (Image: Andy Metcalfe-Hull)
Families have described how children were left ‘watching in tears’ as the council took away a much-loved climbing frame from an Easton playground. Local father Andy Metcalfe-Hull claimed workers came in ‘without warning’ and ‘destroyed’ the piece of equipment earlier this week while the playground was in use.
The council’s parks and green spaces department has confirmed that there is currently no funding available to replace the climbing frame, which had been a focal point of the playground for 33 years, and families say the space is now looks “derelict and depressing”.
Andy told BristolLive on Wednesday (September 3): “Whilst at the playpark on Bellevue Road today my wife and son, along with all the other parents and children, were surprised when council contractors arrived and started deconstructing the climbing frame.
“This park and climbing frame are used and relied on by so many local children and parents. It’s absolutely crazy to me that it would be removed. There was no warning given, and there is no plan to replace it.”
He said he was told by the council that it had been removed due to the extent of deterioration, but given the “state” of the park he feels removing it “is a crazy step backwards”.
Andy added: “My wife said that the contractors didn’t even close the park and started angle grinding with sparks flying before the children and parents even had time to leave. My wife said it was literally being destroyed whilst the children were watching and crying.”
What the Bellevue Road playground looks like after the removal of the climbing frame – with gravel filled into holes which had held it in place(Image: Andy Metcalfe-Hull)
BristolLive has contacted Bristol City Council for comment. In reply to Andy’s query, the parks department told him: “As you know the Multi Climber, which was installed in 1992, has been deteriorating the last few years. We have welded it a number of times to try and prolong the life of the Multi Climber in the hope that funding becomes available, to be able to replace it with a new climber at the same time.
“However funding is not available currently and today we have had no choice but to remove it due to the levels of deterioration. We are sorry that we were unable to let the community know. As soon as funding becomes available, we will be looking at replacing it with a new Multi Climber.”
Photos taken by Andy’s family show what he describes as “the state of the playground now with the climbing frame missing”. He went on to say: “The holes that they left have been filled with gravel which is probably more dangerous than the old climbing frame!”
He has set up a petition urging the council to replace the climbing frame. Commenting on the petition, one supporter wrote: “This tiny patch of play space may not look like much, but it is vital to the community. I have seen kids learning to ride their bikes there, making friends there, playing endless games of hide and seek, chalking on the floor, playing cricket, and countless parents relaxing in the sun in a small safe place minutes from their homes.
“The removal of the climbing frame (without notice) is a real kick in the teeth to Easton.” A second added: “Was surprised to see this climbing frame being dismantled with angle grinders and assumed it was being updated so I’m really shocked to hear there are no plans to replace it. This tiny park is always FULL of little kids and really is a little centre of community play.
“Now it’s been left derelict which really depressing for everyone, especially those of us who live on this road! Public spaces of connection and play are really important, not just for kids but the adults too. Bristol council really needs to act on this and replace the playground.”