New play park for St George's Park

Release Date:  25-Jun-2009

Children in east Bristol are invited to join in the celebrations on Saturday, June 27 marking the opening of a newly created play space in St George Park. And Mums and Dads, family and friends are invited too.

A day of fun and exploration has been planned to give local people of all ages a chance to find out more about the specially-designed play area, named in memory after the former ward councillor - John Deasy.

The one-day opening event runs from 11am to 4pm, with play workers and play rangers on hand to encourage play - and even give advice to adults and young people thinking about a career in children’s play.

Giant inflatables, free tennis tasters and training sessions for seven to 11 year olds, BMX demos and workshops on the wheels park and wacky cycles fun cycling demos, classes and taster session will all be on offer.

There will be an official opening at 11.30 when Councillor Gary Hopkins, Bristol’s executive member for environment and community safety will say a few words about the new play space. Local ward councillors are amongst invited guests due to attend the official opening.

Children and young people can discover a whole new play are, including: large lizard head, which hides a double slide; a custom-built timber climbing structure; a climbing wall and climbing frame; see-saw; sandpit and swings. And there’s even an expansion to the hugely popular kick-about area. Best of all, the whole play area is dog-free.

Councillor Gary Hopkins, says: “The play area in the park looks fantastic, it has been transformed - and will be a great attraction to families. We worked with local residents to design and create an imaginative and challenging space for children and young people to discover the joys and freedom of play. The play park we see today is a tribute to local people and I’m sure it will be a huge success.

“Parks are an important feature of our local communities and it is a priority for us to protect and manage the parks so everyone can enjoy them and feel confident using them. Over the coming months we will be looking at further park improvements and plan to implement a "bring back the parkie" initiative with an identifiable, responsible park keeper in every major park in the city, including St George's.”

The new play space has been made possible, thanks to funding from the government’s Play Pathfinder project, which will see over £2.6m being spent on play parks in the city.

Local residents, children and young people were involved in the early designs and planning of the park, so Saturday’s opening will reveal the hard work and enormous contribution they have made to create the new play space.

In addition to the opening of the new play space, there will be a cycling city event with information and shows around BMX cycling, wacky cycles. Local cycling organisations and businesses will be on hand to promote an interest in fun cycling and safety amongst young people aged seven to 11 year olds.

Author:   Helen Hewitt, tel. 922 2646

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