Park to get 'transformational' £680k upgrade

A local skater said that with the right investment it could turn the space into a "destination skate park"

Children and skaters will benefit from a £680,000 upgrade to a park over the next couple of years.

Bristol City Council is planning to invest cash from developers into upgrading play equipment and a skate park in St George Park.

Both the play park and skate park are in poor condition, with some local skaters now saying they would rather travel further afield than skate in St George.

The investment forms part of a wider £1.1m in parks across Bristol, funded from money raised via the community infrastructure levy. The spending was approved by councillors on the public health and communities policy committee on Friday.

Parents in the area have said that the play equipment is inadequate for older children and needs improving.

'Destination skate park'

Speaking to the committee, local skater Jack Lilley said: "Skate parks give children, teens and adults a fun, healthy way to be active, make friends and enjoy time away from screens. But the St George skate park is showing its age.

"What used to be a bit of a challenge has now become unsafe, and without some love and attention, it risks becoming lost altogether.

"With the right investment, this could be an amazing opportunity to turn the space into a destination skate park which people from all over the country would be excited to visit."

The rest of the cash will be spent on upgrading other parks in the city, with £200,000 spent on new play equipment in Bannerman Road Park in Easton, £50,000 will go towards a new play area in Purdown, another £50,000 will be spent on upgrading play equipment in Barton Fields in Speedwell and £120,000 will go towards water and power supplies for coffee and food vans in parks.

All projects will be delivered between next year and 2028.

After the meeting, a spokesperson for Play in St George Park said: "We are excited to work with the skate park team and deliver amazing improvement for the community.

"We are looking to achieve play spaces for all abilities, ages and genders, improving accessibility and opportunities for the whole community. This funding is truly transformational."