News / bristol city council
The future of Bristol’s parks and green spaces
Charging more money for events in Eastville Park, Ashton Court and the Downs, and removing the hanging baskets outside City Hall, Central Library and the Victoria Rooms, are just two of the options for Bristol City Council to both make more money and save money from the city’s parks and open spaces.
By April 2019 the council will need to save almost £3m from its budget for day to day parks’ services as it looks to close an £108m budget gap between April 2018 and April 2023, with services undoubtedly run in a very different way in the future.
The consultation proposes that hanging basket displays will no longer be provided at Central Library, City Hall, College Green, Park Street, Blackboy Hill, Marriott Royal Hotel, Blackboy Hill roundabout and Victoria Rooms – this would save a minimum of £20,000
Other options to raise money include providing more cafes and concessions such as ice cream vans; using green spaces next to main roads for advertising hoardings; charging fitness trainers to use parks where they host their classes; and introducing paid-for activities such as adventure golf, car boot sales and camping.
is needed now More than ever
The cuts include:
- reduce the number of changing rooms and pavilions to lower maintenance costs
- reduce the number of days Hengrove Play Park is open to five days a week
- reduce grass cutting, leaf collecting and pruning
- use volunteers to open and close facilities such as toilets
- do not replace unsafe play equipment when removed if suitable provision nearby
- look for opportunities for community groups to manage local green spaces
Ashton Court could host more events
Asher Craig, deputy mayor and cabinet member responsible for parks, said that the council’s priority is making sure that parks and green spaces remain available for everyone to enjoy and use for free.
She said: “Working with partners across the city, our vision is to provide Bristol with good quality, attractive and enjoyable parks.
“We want to be positive and ambitious for our parks whilst being clear that we have to work differently to maintain a high level of service citywide.
“There is a real opportunity here to come up with some inventive solutions to protect our parks for the future.”
Take part in the parks consultation by visiting www.bristol.gov.uk/parksconsultation
Read more: City council need to close £108m budget gap
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