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Research-Driven Design:
The redevelopment of Brickfields Park wasn’t just about design—it was driven by research and a deep understanding of how the space was used and what was missing. An initial study with Bath University was followed up in 2022 with Make Space for Girls. Key findings included:
- Girls were less likely to use the park independently: Girls often visited the park with others rather than on their own.
- Lack of engagement with sports facilities: Only 10% of the users of the basketball courts were girls, and no girls were using the football pitches.
- Social spaces were essential: Girls preferred spaces for socializing, like benches or grassy areas, rather than sports-focused facilities.
These findings reinforced the need for more seating, social spaces, and design elements that would make girls feel more comfortable and encourage them to spend more time at the park. This valuable feedback directly influenced the park’s redesign.
What’s New at Brickfields Park
The improvements at Brickfields Park opened in March 2025 and includes:
- A five-way swing
- Accessible entrance gateways
- Tree trunk social seating & climbing areas
- A bespoke figure-of-eight bench
- Somersault bars
- Reduced hedgerow heights to improve sightlines and safety
One local teen, Martha, shared her thoughts on the project:
"It’s been great to connect with the community and the park, and it’s amazing to be able to say, ‘I helped with that!’ This whole project has made me want to get out into parks more – it’s nice to know this is waiting for me when I need a break from coursework and exams."
A Community-Centered Design
This transformation wouldn’t have been possible without the powerful collaboration between Your Parks Bath & Bristol, local schools, Bath & North East Somerset Council, and the wider community. The key partners, including Hayesfield Girls' School and the Mixed Sixth Form, played an instrumental role in creating a park that is welcoming for teenage girls.
The £75,000 worth of improvements were funded through donations and support from Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Community Infrastructure Levy. What makes this project even more special is that it was created with the community’s input from the very beginning.
Your Parks Bristol and Bath is a park foundation charity, formed as part of the Rethinking Parks programme. Charlee Bennett, Chief Executive of Your Parks Bristol & Bath, said:
"We are incredibly proud of the project. Seeing first-hand the real benefits the community gets from the reimagined spaces is so rewarding. This is just the start of our ambition to reimagine parks and green spaces across our two cities, and we hope they will demonstrate how simple changes can have an enormous impact on local people’s lives."
The changes at Brickfields Park are just one step toward creating more inclusive and accessible spaces across Bath and Bristol. By designing parks that cater to the specific needs of different groups—like teenage girls—we can create environments where everyone feels welcome, safe, and inspired to spend time outdoors.
More information:
https://yourpark.org.uk/reimagining-brickfields
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