Contents

Purpose of the Report

Project Delivery

Work Completed this Year

Next Phase of Work Being Taken Forward

Proposals for the Future

Consultation - Executive Summary

Engagement Activity

Comments and Recommendations

Purpose of the Report

The purpose of this report is to identify

themes from the comments received

during the Castle Park consultation

process. It will also identify any

suggestions and proposals that were

outside the scope of the consultation but

could benefit the park and its users. The

report includes recommendations for this

project and for future phases of

improvement work as and when funding

becomes available.

The report was put together following

analysis and consideration of all the

comments made through the online

consultation and also those collected at

the week long consultation event held in

the park in November 2015. It also

considers comments made by the

Learning Disability Partnership Board,

Castle Parks Users Group, the Civic

Society, Basement Youth Drop-In and the

Older People’s Partnership Board.

Comments have been split into the

following categories:

1. Events

2. St Peter’s Church

3. St Peter’s Square

4. Lighting

5. Anti-Social Behaviour

6. Nature

7. Cycle Path

8. History and Archaeology

9. Play

10. Exercise Equipment

11. Parkour

12. Art

13. Toilets

14. Vaulted Chambers

15. Furniture

16. Mounds

17. Path Network

18. Entrances & Boundaries

19. St Mary-le- Port

Project Delivery

Work Completed this Year

Improvements to Wine Street

boundary

Removal of the old play area

Installation of 13 new bins

Work being progressed:

Filling in and providing access to the

Castle Keep and opening the area to

the public

Repair of the ‘Beside the Still Waters’

artwork

Installation of 5 new interpretation

panels

Repair of all the existing benches

Next Phase of Work Being

Taken Forward

Following analysis of the consultation

results and further discussion with other

City Council services the following

recommendations were identified as

priorities for the next phase of

improvement work and are being taken

forward:

Reinforced grass in the arena

(events) area

Resurface St Peter’s Square

Natural Play Features

St Peter’s Church Survey

Bulb Planting

Cycle Racks

Vaulted Chambers Survey

Chess Tables

Picnic Tables

Table tennis tables

A measured running/walking route

Petanque/boules

Proposals for the Future The decision not to include a new play

area was taken as the level of support for

play was not as high as it was for some

other proposals (ie resurfacing St Peter’s

Square and the installation of natural

play). As a new play area is a high cost

item the decision was taken to defer the

installation of a formal fenced play area

until further funding becomes available.

The council is committed to delivering a

Framework for the Old City and Bristol

Shopping Area which will include a master

plan for Castle Park. It is better that the

following proposals, that received a high

level of public support through

consultation, are considered as part of

that work:

Renovating and re-using the

vaulted chambers.

Restoring St Peter’s Church as a

usable space for events,

exhibitions and visitors.

Improving the existing paths and

creating better routes through the

park.

Improving all of the entrances into

the park.

A major new entrance into the

park at Broadweir and Lower

Castle Street corner.

Consultation - Executive Summary

The Castle Park Improvement Project

consultation ran for 12 weeks from

29th September to 24th December

2015. 91% of respondents liked the idea of

wildflower/bulb planting in the park (3%

disliked this idea).

84% liked the idea of more picnic tables in

the park (8% disliked this).

84% of respondents liked the proposal to

restore St Peter’s Church as a usable

space for events, exhibitions and visitors

(9% disliked this).

81% liked new surfacing in St Peter’s

Square. 8% disliked.

81% liked the proposal of renovating and

re-using the Vaulted Chambers (15%

disliked.

80% liked the proposal of improving existing paths and creating better routes through the park (13% disliked).

71% liked the idea of having natural play

features put in around the Castle Keep

remains. 16% disliked this idea.

71% liked new direction signs throughout

the park (8% disliked).

69% liked the proposal of improving all

the entrances into the park (22%

disliked).

68% of respondents liked the proposal of

grassing over the current play area (12%

disliked). 56% liked the proposal to use it

for a parkour course (23% disliked). 47%

liked the idea of using the space for

exercise equipment (34% disliked), whilst

35% liked the idea of converting it into a

Multi Use Games Area (44% disliked).

68% liked the idea of putting chess tables

in the park. 66% liked table tennis tables

and 63% liked pentanque/boules.

66% of respondents liked the idea of a

measured running/walking route in the

park (10% disliked).

65% liked the proposal of a major new

entrance into the park at Broadweir and

Lower Castle Street corner (22% disliked).

58% liked the proposal of a matching

style of park furniture (30% disliked).

Over half (52%) of respondents preferred

that the mounds remained as they are.

31% preferred that they were reduced in

height, whilst 17% preferred that they

were removed.

47% liked improving the grass coverage

by laying a more durable turf, whilst 41%

liked installing a reinforced system.

44% of respondents preferred traditional

play equipment, making it the most

popular type.

41% of respondents agreed that a fenced

play area is a priority in Castle Park. 32%

disagreed.

31% liked more park information

available via smart phones such as QR

codes (28% disliked).

Engagement Activity

The consultation was promoted through the following channels: • Consultation Finder, Have Your Say • Castle Park web page • Social media • Flyers and posters to residents and businesses in the area • Questionnaires and posters in all libraries • Slides for Temple St, Libraries and Citizen Service Points

• Interpretation panels display in Central Library • Week long consultation event in Castle Park In addition the following groups were consulted: • The Civic Society • Disabled People’s Partnership Board • Older People’s Partnership Board • Basement Youth Drop-in • Castle Park Users Group

Comments and Recommendations

1. Events

Comments received about events in Castle

Park were fairly mixed with some people

in favour of large scale events, some

people only in favour of free or

community events that are open to the

general public and other people against all

events as they damage the grass and the

environment.

Examples of comments in favour of

events included:

‘Please continue to allow larger summer

events to take place in the park. It’s a

perfect location and has hosted much

needed festivals such as Pride and the

children’s zone for the Harbour festival’.

‘More events please and retain and help

gay pride use the space successfully’

Examples against the use of Castle Park

for events included:

‘Events must not be disruptive for

residents living near the park, and must

not stop use of the park by those

residents. Parks closure for events is not

acceptable.’

Other proposals for events included ‘build

a stage inside the church remains for

performances of plays, create an

ampthitheatre, use the bandstand, open

air cinema, brass bands, use the Vaulted

Chambers and St Peter’s Church for

weddings’.

‘The arena area is not really suitable for

any other than modest events. The council

should direct bigger events to more

appropriate sites’.

Consultation with the Learning Disabilities

Partnership Board has raised the issue of

changing facilities being made available at

all events such as Mobiloos or AndyLoos.

Recommendations: 1. Continue to enable Castle Park to act as an important city centre events space and ensure that these are appropriate to the scale and public use of the park. 2. Improve grass coverage in the arena area by laying a new reinforced system.

2. St Peter’s Square Relatively few comments were received

specifically about St Peter’s Square

however in the questionnaire the

proposal to resurface parts of the square

received a high level of positive responses

with 81% in favour.

Comments received included:

‘More use needs to be made of the square

next to St Peter's Church, it's just a dead

space’.

‘Put active uses in St Peter's square to

increase footfall - art exhibitions,

musicians, etc.’

‘I think the area around St Peter's Church,

the square and water feature to the rear

especially, are underused at the moment,

as they are the centrepiece of the park’.

‘Events and film crews in St Peter’s Square

block access for the public across the

square – should leave walkways open for

public users.’

‘The paved areas around St Peter’s church

have potential for more activity, eg

daytime activity spilling out from the café,

evening activity such as small-scale

outdoor drama or concerts, using a

temporary covered stage.’ Bristol Civic

Society

Recommendations: 1. Resurface the square and improve it for public enjoyment. 2. Bring in restrictions on vehicle access.

3. St Peter’s Church

It was evident from a number of the

comments received about St Peters

Church that some people wanted the

building to be left as it is ie as a ruin and

war memorial. Others wanted the church

redeveloped or restored for use as an

exhibition and performance space and

some people wanted to use it as a

wedding venue.

Comments received included:

‘St Peters Church is history and must be

left as it is’.

I think St Peters Church should be left as a

ruin but made more accessible for visitors

with information about its history’.

‘Whilst I like the idea of St Peters being

opened up for exhibitions and events I

would like to see a meaningful

undertaking that its historical and sacred

nature will not be abused with

inappropriate events’.

‘The church walls must be made safe but I

would strongly like to see it preserved as

John Piper style ruined church war

memorial’.

Recommendation: 1. Commission a survey of the church to help identify options for restoring and using the building.

4. Lighting

All comments received about lighting

were in favour of upgrading the lighting in

the park particularly around the mounds.

Along with increased CCTV it was thought

lighting would make the park safer,

reduce anti-social behaviour and

encourage people to use the park more

after dark.

Examples of comments made included:

‘Lighting is key to safety in the park,

particularly on winter nights. This should

be improved urgently as it would

encourage people to use the park and

increase safety.’

‘I don't walk through it at night due to

poor lighting and varied terrain so

reducing mounds and installing more

street lights would be highly beneficial’

Recommendation: 1. When funding allows install LED lighting to all columns throughout the park which will increase lighting levels and reduce maintenance costs over time.

‘Solar powered lighting to make the park

safer at night time?’

‘Upgrade current lighting to LED but still

keeping the traditional style’

‘More lighting or CCTV to make it a safer

place for people to relax and enjoy the

area’.

The Learning Disabilities Partnership

Board also asked for improved lighting in

the park as did the young people at the

Basement Drop-In Centre.

5. Anti Social Behaviour

Many of the comments made were

specifically about anti-social behaviour

(ASB) in the former play area which has

now been removed. It is clear from

comments that ASB in various guises is a

major problem in the park and needs to

be addressed. Suggestions to improve

this situation include enhanced lighting

and CCTV and increased policing. Areas of

concern included rough sleepers,

sanitation issues, graffiti and vandalism,

litter, drug users and needles left in the

park and aggressive seagulls! Examples of

comments included:

‘Anti -social behaviour is the main thing

that spoils the park for me - I walk through

every day and I'm often faced with soft

drug use - and congregations of young

people which some people can find

intimidating’

‘Crime or fear of crime is a major issue,

especially at night walking between old

market and Bristol bridge’

‘I've walked through the park virtually

every night for the last decade, and have

never seen any anti-social behaviour.

Don't be so pessimistic about young

people. People mainly use the hills to sit

on, and have their lunch’

Young people at the Basement Youth

Drop-in Centre identified security as an

issue and wanted the park to be safer and

more comfortable potentially with more

shelter from the elements and better

CCTV and lighting. They also raised

concerns about drugs and begging in the

park.

Recommendations: 1. Upgrade lighting when funding allows. 2. Install more/replace bins to tackle litter. 3. Discuss ASB issues with the Police and how best to tackle these.

6. Nature

A high number of comments mentioned

the importance of nature and wildlife in

the park. There was lots of support for

more planting especially for wild flowers

and woodland and grassland to encourage

wildlife and biodiversity.

Examples of comments included:

‘Don't over manage it let some parts stay

natural’.

‘I appreciate the edible city vegetable beds

and would like to see these kept /

extended.’

‘Please add more interesting planting -

shrubs, flowers etc. The park currently

feels quite bare and municipal.’

Recommendation: 1. Include more bulb planting /wild flower planting as proposed and discuss potential to extend edible food projects where appropriate.

7. Cycle Path

Many of the comments received about

the cycle path were specifically about the

Bristol Bridge junction and the cobbled

area. Many of these issues will be

addressed by the cycle path and junction

improvements due to be carried out in

May and June 2016.

There were lots of comments about better

segregation between pedestrians and

cyclists as below:

‘I really wish there could be more

segregated space for cycling, such as a

cycle path along the north side’.

‘Separation of pedestrians and cyclists

who frequently fail to show consideration

for the older and younger users of the

park.’

‘I would like to see better separation

between cyclists and pedestrians -

pedestrians wander too easily into cycle

paths.’

Other suggestions made during this

consultation exercise can be considered in

the future but are outside the scope of

this project:

‘Close Castle Street to vehicles and make it

a much more attractive entrance to the

whole area’.

‘Improve the cycling routes through Castle

Park. Make the Bristol Bridge entrance

smooth’.

‘Create cycle routes to Union Street and

Fairfax Street. Change the cycle path

surface height/texture/colour to allow

users to better distinguish it’.

‘The entrance to the park on Castle Street

could be pedestrianised, and the cycle

route extended’.

‘There needs to be cycle parking provided

within the park’.

The Learning Disabilities Partnership

Board would also like better segregation

of pedestrians and cyclists on the cycle

path as well as improved wheelchair

accessibility around the park and

delineated footpaths and surface.

Recommendations: 1. Continue to provide safe routes through the park for pedestrians and cyclists as opportunities arise. 2. Install cycle racks.

8. History and Archaeology

A large number of comments were

received about the history and

archaeology of the park asking that more

information about its historical

development be made available on site.

Many comments mentioned that the old

medieval street layout should be marked

out or at least sign posted in some way. It

was also considered that the park could

become an important educational asset

and tourist attraction.

Typical comments included:

‘…maybe there should be markers on the

floor exactly where things stood, the

street lines so we have a better

understanding of what we lost.’

‘…there is absolutely no indication to

users/visitors that this was once the

historic hub of Bristol (post Castle era).’

‘Consider a long term plan to make more

of the site in relation to its history.....this

site is the birthplace of Bristol and the site

of Bristol Castle, it should be a major

tourist attraction!’

‘Extensive historical interpretation and the

history of Bristol Castle through the ages

should be provided. Markers throughout

the park to allow visitors to visualise the

castle through the ages.’

Recommendations: 1. Consider a way to mark out the

medieval street pattern. 2. Create a temporary or permanent

exhibition about the history of the site eventually for display in a restored St Peters Church or Vaulted Chambers.

3. Create a history trail and explore ways of using Castle Park as an educational resource.

4. Make more information available via web pages.

9. Play

The old play area in Castle Park has

recently been removed as it reached the

end of its life and could no longer be

maintained. The consultation process

asked the question ‘Do you agree that

Castle Park needs a new fenced play area

as a priority? There was no clear

consensus of opinion on this with almost

as many people agreeing that a play area

was needed as people disagreeing.

Therefore the decision has been taken not

to include a new fenced play area in Castle

Park at this time. We will however be

looking to install more natural play

features in the park as part of this project

as this was a popular proposal.

Comments received in favour of new play

equipment suggested variations in the

style of equipment preferred. Preferences

were mixed between provision of bespoke

and unique play equipment and

traditional robust ‘value for money’ kit.

Lots of comments mentioned the issue of

maintenance and that it was more

important to ensure that any play

equipment would be high quality, robust

equipment that would withstand heavy

use and could not easily be vandalised.

Many comments made were against

having a new play area in Castle Park at all

suggesting that it was unnecessary in a

city centre park and that there were not

enough children living in the area to merit

a new play area and that the open space

provided by the park is sufficient to meet

current play needs.

Recommendations: 1. Defer installation of a formal fenced play area until further funding becomes available in order that other improvements that received a higher priority weighting can be implemented. 2. The proposal to incorporate natural play features is popular and can be implemented from the current budget as it is relatively low cost and less intrusive on the landscape.

10. Exercise Equipment

All comments received were in favour of

installing exercise equipment and

suggestions included a climbing wall,

stone boulders, slack lining posts, a keep

fit trail, pull up bars, a running track,

cricket nets, basketball hoop, dry ski

slope, wave machine, trampolines,

monkey bars.

Comments included:

‘Outdoor gym and workout apparatus

would help the idea that Bristol is a

'healthy city'.

‘Outdoor gym would be good for all and it

would encourage families to get fit

together for free.’

Recommendation: 1. Consider installing exercise equipment and / or a keep fit trail when further funding becomes available.

11. Parkour/Free Running

All comments received were in favour of a

parkour / free running course being

installed.

Comments included:

‘I would very much advocate the parkour

space being built, as it is a good way to

make use of your environment for

exercise/leisure in a non-destructive and

creative way’.

‘A parkour park as it is suitable for all ages

and will always be used because the

community really need a better located

parkour park.’

Young people at The Basement Youth

Drop-In Centre also mentioned a MUGA,

and a skate area

Recommendation: 1. Consider when further funding becomes available.

12. Art

Many comments asked for more spaces

for performance art. Lots of people

mentioned the SANCTUM event at Temple

Church and suggested that St Peter’s in

Castle Park could be used in a similar way.

Also that the Vaulted Chambers should be

used for live music, comedy, open mic

events and by independent artists.

‘It would also be nice to have a sculpture

installed or an art work, something

modern and contemporary’.

Recommendations: 1. Further consideration of using park buildings for arts events and performances once they are restored. 2. Restore the ‘Beside the Still Waters’ art work.

13. Toilets

Relatively few comments were received

through the online consultation about the

toilets but all of them asked for improved

toilet facilities. Other suggestions

included better baby changing facilities

and also keeping the toilets open for

longer during the summer months.

People also wanted the toilets to be

better signposted.

Consultation with the Learning Disabilities

Partnership Board has raised the issue of

changing facilities being made available at

all event such as Mobiloo or AndyLoos.

Recommendations: 1. Improve toilet facilities when funding

is available.

14. Vaulted Chambers

Comments made about the vaulted

chambers were all in favour in re-using

the building for various uses including a

café, a restaurant, a space for exhibitions

and performances and as a wedding

venue.

Comments received included:

‘Renovation of the vaulted chambers

would be a priority. This could be let to a

cafe, which would pay for the renovation

costs and would have a significant benefit

on this area of the park. I am surprised

that this is not on the list for the current

plans.’

‘With regards to the renovation of the

vaulted chambers - Bristol has a thriving

community of independent artists and

creative businesses, and using the space

for live music, street performance, craft

markets and open mics would be a really

nice use of the space.’

Young people at The Basement Youth

Drop-In Centre wanted to use the vaulted

Chambers as a Youth Hub and Centre for

micro businesses run by young people.

Recommendation: 1. Continue with immediate repairs to the building and consider what longer term restoration or improvement is appropriate and the funds needed to achieve this.

15. Furniture

Lots of comments were received about

the furniture in the park. Many people

wanted more bins or bigger bins and more

benches particularly on the Castle St Path.

In addition some people wanted recycling

bins and bbq stands and there was a

mixed response to the proposal for picnic

tables.

Comments received included:

‘More benches needed - traditional

seating with backs for older people/tied

shoppers.

‘Better space for those on lunch breaks at

work, seating, lunch areas etc.’

‘Bigger / more litter bins to cope with

peak.’

Recommendations: 1. Repair benches and consider more

in specific locations. 2. Replace bins/provide more bins

especially if picnic tables are installed.

3. Install picnic benches where appropriate.

4. Repair water fountain on the cycle path.

16. Mounds

Most of the comments received about the

mounds were in favour of keeping them

as they add visual interest and support

some important trees. A smaller number

of comments were in favour of removing

them if they would improve surveillance

and reduce opportunities for ASB.

Example of comments received:

‘Modification of mounds should be

explored, but must be informed by the

impact of any works on existing high

quality trees.’

‘The moulds make the park attractive and

interesting and give character - flatness is

boring!’

‘The mounds add character & interest. It is

wasted money to remove or reduce them.’

‘I am in favour of removing the mounds

but NOT if it meant removing the trees.’

‘In general, the mounds add

interest and character, and are fun

for children, and the trees on them

should not be removed without

very good reason. However, it

would help somehow to achieve

greater visibility of the old

playground area from the rest of

the park.’ Bristol Civic Society

Recommendation: 1. Retain the mounds as they are for the time being.

17. Path Network

Comments about the path network were

mostly about improving connections

across the park and making the space

easier to navigate. Examples of

comments included:

‘Improvement of routes across the park

would be good – it’s often a zigzag to get

from A-B.’

‘Improve existing paths - Aren't they good

enough? Do people really need to be

directed that much?’

‘I would like you to note my view that all

new paths should be comfortable for

wheelchair users, all new equipment

should be accessible and that the café

needs more tables. These could also be

used by people who want to play board

games.’

Recommendation: 1. Improvements to the path network will be considered as part of the emerging master plan for Castle Park.

18. Entrances and

Boundaries

Mixed views were received on the park

entrances but it was clear that some

improvements could be made. Comments

included:

‘The entrance from High Street and Bristol

Bridge is heavily used but is a poor muddle

of different materials, levels, bike and

pedestrian routes and leads to very slow

and dangerous light controlled pedestrian

crossing.’

‘From the NE, Cabot shopping area, the

dark grey stone walls are VERY uninviting.

There needs to be a new, welcoming

entrance here.

‘Improve interaction with street and

entrances ASAP.’

‘I feel that the entrance to the park on

Castle Street should be pedestrianised,

with an extension to the existing cycle

route through to Tower Hill’

‘The entrance at Broadweir / Lower Castle

Street is meant to imitate an old castle.

Old castles were meant to frighten and

prevent entry. On this basis the entrance

was only too successful. It needs to be

brightened and cheered up’

Recommendation: 1. Improve existing entrances and create a new entrance to Cabot Circus as and when funding allows.

19. St Mary-le-Port Site

Although outside the scope of this project

the St Mary-le-Port site received a

number of comments the vast majority of

which want the Norwich Union / Lloyds

building demolished and the church

remains restored / preserved.

Comments included:

‘The relationship with the derelict site at St

Mary-le -Port should be considered as part

of the proposal.’

‘Vaulted chambers and St Mary Le Port

church remains both need better

protection from vandalism and graffiti’

‘Though not of the scope of this survey the

area around St Mary Le Port Church

should be restored to it's pre-war beauty.’

Recommendation: 1. Ensure any comments made about St Mary-le-Port are fed into any plans made to redevelop that part of the park.