Swings have been removed from a much-loved play area at St George Park. The playground in the park - not long ago listed as the fourth best in the country - also had its see-saw removed at the end of July.
The council has now confirmed that they were removed due to safety concerns and the frame will be taken down. Play in St George Park, a voluntary group of local parents trying to raise money for the playground, posted on its Facebook page that it “will discuss with the council if a replacement or alternative can be provided in the meantime whilst we continue to seek to raise funds for a full park replacement”.
Although Bristol City Council has confirmed that a see-saw replacement is on its way, it is yet to confirm whether or not council funding will be used to replace the swings. A local parent with three young children expressed her concerns over the uncertainty of a replacement for the swings.
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Sophie, who visits the playground almost every day, said: “The main reason people come to this park is for the swings. It’s a great park, there’s still plenty to do but with the see-saw coming down and now the swings. It would just be nice to know that they’re actually coming back or being replaced with something.
“I feel like the climbing area that is for the older kids, is slightly worn. It’s a great park though and so many people come from the area to use it, but it could do with a bit of a freshen up now.”
St George ward councillor Asher Craig, who is the deputy mayor with responsibility for children’s services, education and equalities, posted on Facebook about the see-saw in July. Cllr Craig said: “Our parks team had to immobilise the see-saw in the John Deasy Play Area, due to a report that a child had an accident using the equipment.
“The friends group is raising funds for a new play area and our officers will discuss a replacement with them. Due to the importance and location of this play area and the park’s popularity Bristol City Council will replace the seesaw as soon as possible.” The council has since put up a notice in the playground stating that the see-saw should be replaced by October or November.
The council added that that it was not “economical” to replace the old see-saw and that: “The Play Area Friend’s Group are looking at funding a new play area, with this in mind the replacement see-saw will be of a design that will allow it to be moved to a new location if that is desired as part of the wider play area refurbishment scheme.”
Play in St George Park initially raised safety concerns over the see-saw with the council in October 2021. A further report to the authority was then made in January of this year after a little boy trapped his leg.
At the time the issue was raised on local Facebook pages by a park user who said: “Watch out if you are at the playground as the see-saw has come off its fittings and a little boy got his leg trapped between the seat and the floor (fortunately not injured). Reported to the council, waiting on a call back from the parks department.”
Play in St George Park is now trying to raise £400,000 to redesign what it describes as a “tired” playground that is “nearing the end of its natural life.” It was told by Bristol City Council yesterday that “the toddler swing frame is rotten and sadly has reached the end of its life”.
The council added that a replacement see-saw is “due to be installed shortly” and that topping up the sand in the sandpit is “a matter of priority”. On the a swings, there is yet to be any confirmation of a replacement.
Play in St George Park confirmed in March it had been awarded £30,000 of Community Infrastructure Levy money to rebuild the fences. Since then the group have carried out several community consolidation projects but have not yet confirmed any further funds for the playground. Bristol City Council has been approached for comment.
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