Eastville Park chosen for Bristol’s next accessible park project
Disabled people and unpaid carers from across Bristol have chosen Eastville Park as the next park to receive a full access assessment and accessibility improvements.
The work follows significant Community Infrastructure Levy funding, announced by Councillor Ellie King, to help create an exemplar park for Disabled people.
We are working with Bristol City Council, Bristol Disability Equality Forum, Carers Support Centre, Heritage Lottery Fund, local people and Friends of Eastville Park to make sure the project is shaped by Disabled people and unpaid carers from the start.
How Eastville Park was chosen
Bristol City Council first identified parks that could receive the funding. We then shortlisted these parks using the Sensory Trust’s Access Chain, which looks at the whole experience of visiting a place.
This includes how easy it is to plan a visit, travel there, move around, use facilities and feel welcome.
We then worked with Bristol Disability Equality Forum to run a decision-making event. 38 Disabled people and unpaid carers took part.
Participants looked at five shortlisted parks. They considered accessibility, potential impact and community value before voting together on the final choice.
Why Eastville Park?
Eastville Park was chosen because it already has lots of strengths and clear opportunities for different experiences and improvements.
Participants highlighted:
- good transport links, including nearby bus routes and access from across Bristol
- existing facilities, including toilets and some accessible routes
- a large and varied landscape, with quieter spaces and sensory opportunities
- strong community activity
- links to other green spaces, including Frome Valley and Snuff Mills
The park is also supported by Friends of Eastville Park, who bring local knowledge, long-term care and strong community connections.
"The trustees of Friends of Eastville Park are elated to hear that Eastville has been chosen to be an exemplar accessible park. We see the potential in the spaces that Eastville offers for access to nature but this large city park is often overlooked for funding. We are keen to support the engagement process and help make the most of this opportunity for our community” - Sarah, Chair, Friends of Eastville Park.
Eastville Park is already well-used and well-loved. With the right investment, it could become a leading example of what inclusive park access can look like in Bristol.
Colin, Chair of 'Your Park, Your Say' and Your Park Trustee:
"Following consultation with Disabled people and unpaid carers from across Bristol, it's exciting that Eastville Park has been selected as the park to receive investment to help transform it into an accessible and nature‑rich space that can be enjoyed by everyone - locals and those from across the city alike.
Eastville Park is a space with so much potential and this is an opportunity to co-create a park that has enhanced accessibility, improved natural diversity, and facilities that can be enjoyed by everyone.
This is a significant moment for Eastville Park and for the local community who will now help shape the vision. The park is large and the opportunity ahead is even larger."
What happens next
We will now work with Disabled people and unpaid carers living near Eastville Park to carry out a detailed access assessment. Together we will make a clear access improvement plan. This will help Bristol City Council decide where the funding can make the biggest difference.
We will also work alongside Friends of Eastville Park and local partners to help bring the Access Plan to life.
If you live in Eastville or Stapleton and would like to be involved, read on...
Help shape Eastville Park’s Access Plan
We are looking for Disabled people and unpaid carers from Eastville and Stapleton to take part in the access assessment.
You will help identify what works, what does not and what needs to change to make the park more accessible and inclusive.
Participants will need to take part in around five or six workshops in July.
If you would like to be involved, complete this form.
For more details
If you would like more information about the project or how you can get involved, please contact Miranda.
- Email: miranda@yourpark.org.uk
- Call: 07355 619 767.
