City park nominated for 'test of time' award

Bradford City Park cost more than £24m to develop

Thirteen years after it opened to the public, Bradford's City Park has been shortlisted for a top architecture award.

The public space, with its famed mirror pool and fountains, is a finalist in the infrastructure and public realm category of the Architecture Today awards, with the ceremony due to take place next month.

The awards were set up to recognise projects that have had an impact on their surroundings over many years, rather than new buildings.

The organisers say the shortlisted projects "stand the test of time; projects that have proven their worth through years of use, adaptation, and continued relevance."

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, the executive member for regeneration, planning and transport at Bradford Council, said: "The space has continued to delight visitors to the city centre since it opened in 2012.

"It is especially popular with children and families during the summer months and gets used for lots of different types of events."

'Significant role'

The project, by Gillespies, cost more than £24m to develop, and opened in 2012 – transforming a large section of Bradford city centre, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Since then it has hosted festivals, live performances and art installations, and is home to Bradford's annual Literature Festival.

The opening event for Bradford's year as City of Culture, Rise, attracted 20,000 people when it was staged in the park.

It has also been used as a filming location on several occasions, most recently appearing in the BBC One drama Virdee.

City Park will face competition from Crystal Palace Park Café and the Stratford Town Centre Link.

Architecture Today said the park had "helped unlock further regeneration", played a "significant role" in the City of Culture bid, supported local economic activity and hosted more than 50 events annually.

The award ceremony is due to take place on 17 September.

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