ROLE: From conception to completion
LOCATIONS: Bradford
CLIENT: Better Start Bradford
Background & Objectives:
Better Place is a 3 year project being delivered in partnership between Better Start Bradford and Groundwork. This unique project is about involving local people to develop safer and healthier places for expectant parents and families with children to increase their access to outdoor spaces.
Better Place is a 3 year project being delivered in partnership between Better Start Bradford and Groundwork. This unique project is about involving local people to develop safer and healthier places for expectant parents and families with children to increase their access to outdoor spaces
Design:
Pockets of green spaces and playgrounds were either found by someone on the team through desk studies and field studies, or they were nominated by a member of the public for improvement. The community team organised public consultations and co-design sessions where enough information was gained about the site and the land users. Parents of small children were especially looked out for in these consultations to gain a more accurate image of what should be proposed for young ones.
Impact:
Since the launch of this group of projects, some of the most popular ones have been Mayfield Pocket Park, Kettlewell Snicket and SHINE at St Stephens Church. These spaces were either decreasing in popularity or were used for nothing other than to pass through. Improving play equipment – both formal and informal; resurfacing with coloured tarmac and playful paving; better quality greenery; playful art pieces and sensory features have all done a world of good for these sites and ownership is being moved back to the community. They have more of a reason to either visit these redeveloped places or take more scenic routes to get to their destinations.
We also have a number of projects that are well on their way to completion including Bowling Park – a large public park in the Bowling ward which was selected due to the many people that will benefit from it being improved. Even in its construction stage of a mini bike track, a story trail, a toddler trail and an improved woodland area, the number of people visiting the park has already increased.
A park visitor commented, “I see people here who I’ve never seen before”.
One comment left on the Bradford Council website read, “I have just been for a walk in Bowling Park and would like to say the three bears that have just been erected in the park are wonderful I can’t wait to take my grandchildren to see them when I am allowed. Thank you what a lovely surprise they were.”
For more information about the project please follow this link to the Better Start Bradford website
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