Following the success of the first phase of work completed at Redland Green, another group convened in 1994 to create a new play area at Cotham Gardens that would replace the existing worn-out playground. Following negotiations with RCAS, an area of land at the back of the site was donated by VIVA! Leisure, who were then developing the adjoining site. VIVA also agreed to replace the broken down boundary fence with railings and to provide an alternative access to the park from Redland Road through their land .
The group raised around £30,000 by organising a number of activities and by obtaining donations from members of the community and businesses. The Council agreed to match the funds and to assist with some of the design work.
Again, the separation of use of the park by dog-walkers and by children was considered essential, and to this end a new fence was erected enclosing a large portion of the park. Cotham Gardens was a Victorian park and, as such, demanded a different treatment from the more rural aesthetic at Redland Green. There was a railing originally enclosing the park and the new railing was designed to refer back to this.
Inside the fenced area it was important to create an area that members of the public other than those with children should feel relaxed about using. The new seating area, encircling the stone ‘human’ sundial and topograph showing the distance from Bristol’s twin cities, provides a sunny retreat.
The location of Cotham Gardens, close to a primary and two secondary schools, led to the inclusion of play equipment catering for older children, as well as that for toddlers. The grass area is also used for football games for varying sizes and ages of teams, and picnic benches accommodate families and school groups at different times of the day.
The major success of the area also turned out to be the major failure. A basketball net was included in the design and turned out to be a victim of its own popularity. People were travelling from near and far to play even at 2.00 to 5.00 in the early morning. The people living close to the park were badly affected and it was regretfully decided to remove the net and to press the Council to provide basketball facilities in more suitable locations.
The play area was completed in April 1996 and we're now into the second phase of improvement to the Gardens. This includes new planting in the upper end of the park outside the play area, in preparation for when the mature trees reach the end of their lives. Three new trees in the upper park have been planted, and will continue as funds become available. In December 2002, a new oak tree was planted in the upper park to commemorate the centenary of the 'Coronation Oak'. Pupils from Colstons School assisted in the ceremony, and you can see pictures of the occasion by clicking here.
As well as new works in the park we continue, as at Redland Green, to monitor maintenance standards. The park is regularly checked and the Community Park Manager is notified of deficiencies in the maintenance schedule or vandalism of equipment.
If you wish to contact the Community Park Manager (different from the one for Redland Green), his name is Paul Manton, Bristol Parks, Bristol City Council, Colston House, Colston Street, BRISTOL BS1 5AQ, telephone 0117 922 3717. Or click here to send an email.
August 2009 Roger Mortimer and James Mallender
The main event of the year was the completion of the play area improvement scheme that was funded by 'Section 106 money'. These are the contributions to local public amenities that are made by developers to the Council as part of the process of planning approval. Approximately £15,000 was spent on two items of play equipment and a comprehensive upgrade of the tarmac over a large area. Interestingly this has stimulated far greater general play activity in this fairly shady area of the park - more that is accounted for by the popular new Low Rotator (roundabout!). We still plan to help fund the replacement of the two battered picnic tables.
Despite the apology for a summer this hugely popular park has been very fully used and stood up to this reasonably well. However we remain very disappointed at the continued failure of the Council to deal with neglected maintenance items. These range from the persistent failure of the contactors to sweep the tarmac to long standing drainage problems. Some very minor improvements such as a litter bin with a lid are also required.
The Parks Department appears to have been in a state of constant reorganisation and the management of this park has been inadequate. A new Manager has now been appointed, Miles Harris. Users of the park can assist by contacting him - (0117) 92 23456. miles.harris@bristol.gov.uk. Please also keep RCAS member James Mallender (0117) 974 1044 informed of problems that require council attention.
January 2009 Roger Mortimer and James Mallender
The play area improvement scheme, published in the September Newsletter and displayed on site, has been reviewed and minor changes made. Following user comment and further research the concrete table tennis table is being omitted as it is felt that the likely amount of use and attendant risk of abuse did not justify its provision. We hope to use the money saved for
The main work of installing the additional two items of play equipment and the tarmac resurfacing was completed just before Christmas. We still hope to see the provision of really robust replacements for the two picnic tables, plus some ‘ground graphics’ – permanent markings on the tarmac for such traditional games as hopscotch
The blocked drain was ‘jetted’ but failed again almost immediately. We have been told that Parks have now ordered a ‘full survey to establish the problem’. RCAS and we suspect park users have been complaining about this defect for many months and the failure of the Council to deal with it is frankly disgraceful.
Once the improvements are complete we need to focus on various relatively minor defects throughout the park which affect its overall appearance and our enjoyment. Many of these are due to failures in routine park maintenance – dirty benches, overgrown hedges, holes in paths etc. Much of this should be done by the contractors but the community could do the final polish with a ‘weekend spring clean’.
If you would be interested in organising or helping with this community initiative please contact Roger Mortimer, or James Mallender 973 1637.
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| Cotham Gardens playground, Lovers Walk and the new street lights | ||
| (Click on an image to enlarge) | ||
A helpful and instructive display panel was unveiled on 19 October at the entrance of Cotham Gardens. Designed by Roger Mortimer, vice-chairman of the Society, the panel explains how the park was created in 1881, and how it continues to develop to meet today’s needs. Some of the various species of trees in the arboretum are illustrated, and the history of Lovers’ Walk with its avenue of 40 lime trees is described.
The panel wasfunded by an Award from The Rotary Club of Clifton, as part of the 2005 Rotary International Centenary celebrations. The President, David Powell, was invited to unveil it in a brief ceremony at the park entrance on Redland Grove.
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| David Powell unveils the panel | (l-r) Roger Mortimer, David Powell, Alison Bromilow |
Alison Bromilow, chairman of RCAS, said: ‘We hope that knowing more about Cotham Gardens will increase public appreciation of this valued amenity. We thank Clifton Rotary for making it possible to achieve this new feature in our local park.”
The RCAS has also recently donated a Dawn Redwood and an Incense Cedar which will be planted this winter.
Click here to see more about the display panel.
Lovers Walk & Cotham Gardens
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It is good to
report that the four new trees that the RCAS has sponsored, including the
Commemoration Oak that we planted on December 5th 2002, reported in
January’s Newsletter, are all doing well. The 1998 Cabot Oak (red oak,
left) in Lovers Walk has again given its usual autumn display.
(Click the picture to enlarge) |
We still need an RCAS member to help the Committee by regularly, constructively and firmly telling the Council about things that need attention. We can brief and support such a ‘park monitor’ but are simply unable to this job ourselves. Any volunteers – contact Roger or Alison.
Move your mouse over the panel - where a message pops up, click to see an enlargement of that section. Not all of it is covered - better go to Cotham Gardens and enjoy the whole thing for yourself at close quarters !
Panorama of Cotham Gardens by Neil Hipkiss