St Paul's Park

St Paul’s Park Task Group are a small group of dedicated residents who, working in partnership with Bristol City Council, initiated and led the design of an inspiring play park for all ages.

The group attended both Spaces by Design and Play by Design at Trafford Hall. Shortly afterwards, they approached The Glass-House to view their site at St Paul’s Park, and attend a meeting with the council.

The Glass-House brought along a play design consultant to the council meeting, and highlight the benefits of natural play elements and encouraging wider community involvement.

This project is clear proof of the value of Design Training. The skills, knowledge and confidence gained at Trafford Hall allowed the group to realise the potential of their project, defend their aspirations and crucially, deliver on their vision, in collaboration with the Council.

The design and implementation process was at times fraught with disagreements and compromise. Throughout the project, the model created at Trafford Hall was used as a bargaining tool with the Council and provided a reference point for the group’s ambition. Thanks to persistence and a collaborative approach, most of the ideas generated at Trafford Hall were eventually translated into the finished park.

Children from the area broke into the site to play on the new equipment a day before the completion date, illustrating the anticipation and desperation for a new play area within St Paul’s.

Spaces

Natural play elements
Play equipment for all ages
Resident initiated and led

Play by Design

Simeon Packard - Urban Play Solutions