Work starts on £110,000 play area after 10-year campaign

Families in Bishopsworth are celebrating the culmination of a ten-year campaign for a new children's play area as work starts on a flagship scheme in Kings Head Park.

Bristol City Council-appointed contractors start preparatory work this week on the £110,000 children's play area which is expected to take up to eight weeks to complete.

The new facilities will include a 'typhoon' roundabout swing, springers, cradle swings, a climbing wall, totem poles, nest swings and a pirate boat.

The play area is one of four south Bristol schemes approved in last year's council budget.

Children who live in the area said they can't wait for the new equipment to arrive.

Alex Gittings, 10, who goes to Cheddar Grove School, said: "There's not much here at the moment. If we want to go on climbing frames we have to go down to Hengrove.

Charlie Swift, four, said: "I am looking forward to playing in the sandpit."

His brother George, eight, said: "I hope there are swings and football nets."

Their grandad Keith Swift, 60, said: "There used to be a play park years ago but it got ruined. There's nothing in the area for the children."

Grace Phillips, seven, said: "It will be nice to have a proper play area here. There will be more things for us to do."

The new equipment is expected to be in place by the end of May.

Conservative group leader Richard Eddy, who represents the area, pushed for the last minute addition to the budget.

Councillor Eddy said: "Local people and councillors have been campaigning for almost ten years for improved play facilities in Kings Head Park and it's wonderful to see these new plans come to fruition.

"Council officers are to be congratulated on working with residents and schools to ensure that we have an exciting mix of equipment which will meet the needs of youngsters for many years to come.

"I am particularly delighted that the new play space will be associated with former Deputy Lord Mayor Ron Hodges, who worked so hard for improvements in young people's provision in the area.

"Hopefully, this exciting new investment will prove to be a catalyst for further improvements in Kings Head Park benefiting the whole community."

Diana Porter, chairman of the Bedminster Down & Uplands Society, warmly welcomed the new play area.

Miss Porter said: "Our Society has been very active in campaigning for enhanced facilities for young people in the neighbourhood.

"We have also made a financial contribution to new park benches and look forward to working with the council and councillors Richard Eddy and Kevin Quartley to achieve an even brighter future for Kings Head Park."