More Bristol parks get the makeover treatment

Another group of Bristol's parks are ready to show off their new look after investment from the city council.

Gores Marsh in Ashton Vale, Hillfields park, Withywood park and Willmott Park in Hartcliffe are the most recent play parks in the city to receive a makeover, thanks to Play Pathfinder funding.

The makeovers, remodelling and improvements have been possible as the result of a successful £2.65-million bid in 2008 to the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Altogether Bristol will see more than 20 local parks, play spaces and play settings, including the city's adventure play grounds, remodelled and improved.

The new creative designs at the remodelled play parks reflect the ideas of local residents and children.

Where possible they feature play facilities incorporated into natural landscaping.

Gores Marsh has had £141,000 spent on landscaping, with new play facilities, Hillfields has had £85,000 for improvements to its play area with new equipment, Withywood has had £70,000 spent on landscaping, with a new slide feature, and Willmott has had £35,000 spent on a wooden climbing wall and new play kit.

Councillor Gary Hopkins, Bristol's cabinet member for environment and community safety, said: "The new play parks are excellent. They offer children inclusive play opportunities that not only excite, challenge, stimulate and stretch their imaginations but which also support our drive to get more children physically active and using their local community parks more often."

For more information about Bristol's new play parks visit www.goplacestoplay.org.uk.