Play area will get revamp after community effort

A play area which residents say had "sunk into disrepair" will be renovated following a successful fundraising effort.

Members of a community group running Eastwood Farm in Brislington, Bristol, want to revamp the play area to provide a safe space for young people.

There are plans for new gym equipment, a multi-use games area and more open youth shelters at the site, with hopes the renovation work will be finished by spring 2027.

Secretary of Friends of Eastwood Farm, Ralph Openshaw, said: "There's very little for young people in the area. The youth centre closed years ago so we wanted to create a space where young people could enjoy themselves and hang out."

"The play area was always intended for young people over the age of 12 and it had basically sunk into disrepair," he added.

The group hosted a fundraiser on Saturday to raise the last £400 needed to begin the renovation.

More than 100 people attended and enjoyed activities such as face painting, games and litter picking.

Some people in the area are also hoping the park's renovation will give older children something to do.

Parent Karen said: "This [park] has been so neglected.

"There are lots of things for the younger children but not the teenagers."

Karen's teenage daughter and friends shared suggestions with organisers as to what they would like to see in the park to make it more attractive to teenagers.

"Hopefully it will give more of the teenagers somewhere safe to meet up and do something," Karen added.

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