Page Park’s new community building and café has been officially unveiled at a ceremony in the Staple Hill park.
The new facilities will provide a hub for the thousands of visitors who use the much-loved park throughout the year.
The building is light, modern and open plan, and was designed to reflect the natural attributes of historic Page Park. It also features a heritage wall mural designed by a local artist which celebrates the history of the park and Staple Hill.
The community room will be called ‘The Nest’ and will offer a regular varied programme of activities for all ages including toddler sessions, yoga and fitness sessions. The Nest is also available for groups to hire for meetings and events.
Cutting the ribbon to officially unveil the building, Chair of South Gloucestershire Council Cllr Ian Blair said: “The most important part of this project is the community involvement. This park is always full of people enjoying a good day out and this new building will only add to that. It will breathe new life in to Page Park and I am sure visitors will make good use of the indoor space and enjoy it for many years to come.”
Sarah Staniforth from the Heritage Lottery Fund said: “Page Park is for everyone and is the ‘green lung’ of Staple Hill.
“The work that has gone into understanding the community and involving them at every stage will ensure this place has a sustainable future. The emphasis has very much been on the community and that is why this project did so well in the application process for an HLF grant.”
Stephanie Purser, from the Friends of Page Park, said: “Our green spaces are priceless and there is still so much more Page Park can offer. This is the next chapter in that story.”
The new building has been funded principally by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Cory Environmental Trust in Britain, South Gloucestershire Council and the Friends of Page Park as well as through other donations.
This work is part of a wider £2.2million regeneration project which includes a £1.6million Heritage Lottery Fund Parks for People Programme grant. The five-year project also includes the restoration of the park’s clock tower, repairs to railings, footpaths and walls, a refurbishment of the tennis court and an inclusive programme of activities including parkrun, a new junior parkrun and regular Walks for Health.
