Improving park access for Disabled people & caregivers
Parks 4 All aims to ensure everyone enjoys access to 1) safe, 2) inclusive, 3) welcoming and 4) enjoyable parks, and in-turn their free, transformative health and wellbeing benefits.
We are working with Disabled people and caregivers to action their recommendations from our research, Not just a check box.
We have achieved significant wins already, read on to find out more...
Access core to Bristol's parks strategy & funding committed
As a result of our research, Bristol City Council has embedded equity and accessibility as a key theme throughout their new Parks and Green Spaces Strategy.
In March 2024, £900,000 was approved by Bristol City Council cabinet to improve park accessibility.
Councillor Ellie King, the Cabinet Member who was responsible for Public Health and Communities, said that 'Not just a check box' was the: "Key inspiration for investing in these (park) areas!"
We hope that Bath and North East Somerset Council will follow suit.
Park Access Assessments
One key recommendation from the research is to commission user-led park accessibility audits and action plans involving local people with lived experience.
Sadly due to the financial position of Local Authorities, it is highly unlikely there will be the funding need to commission access audits which are costly and often do not involve local Disabled people & caregivers.
We are working with Disabled people and caregivers to develop the UK's first community led park access assessment toolkit. The toolit will enable any groups of Disabled people and caregivers to assess their park and make an action plan to improve it.
With support from our partners and funders, we have developed and tested the Park Access Assessment toolkit and are ready for the next stage of development.
Funding secured to improve Hartcliffe Millennium Green
We completed the first test of the Park Access Assessment at Hartcliffe Millennium Green.
The community produced a Park Action Plan and we have secured £20,000 to kickstart the improvements this year.
Our funding will be added to money already secured by the brilliant Friends of Hartcliffe Millennium Green and will action 80% of the highest priority changes to make the park more accessible.
Improving access with information
One of the key barriers uncovered by our research, Not just a check box, is the lack of information available about parks.
We're working with Friends of Groups to create Accessibility Guides to clearly communicate what is available in their park, helping Disabled people and caregivers decide whether a visit is for them.
Donate
Help us make parks across Bristol and Bath more accessible for Disabled people and caregivers by donating today.
Support us
Find out how you can support our work and help us reach more communities across Bristol & Bath.
