News / Green Capital 2015
Mini parks replace parking spaces on streets
Car parking spaces are being reclaimed and transformed into shared public spaces for residents to use as they wish.
Cycling charity Sustrans is helping to convert parking spaces into miniature parks in a project funded by Bristol 2015 Green Capital.
“Street Pockets” are being rolled out in six locations across the city with seating, trees, plants, swings, artwork, bicycle parking and even a bicycle pump stations.
Four trials have taken place so far in Hartcliffe, Bishopston, Horfield and Southville, and the latest addition is being unveiled on Sunday, October 11, in Stonebridge Park, Eastville.
The Street Pockets, usually formed from one or two car parking spaces, are being devised by residents on their streets who have been trained by Sustrans.
The project has been funded by Bristol 2015 to the tune of £132,000 and is being supported by the city council. It is one of three Green Capital projects Sustrans is delivering.
In Stonebridge Park residents are also using some of their resources to trial patterns in the carriageway in a bid to bring down car speeds.
Flo Marshall, Sustrans urban designer said: “Streets make up 80 per cent of our public spaces in cities, yet we rarely feel that they are ours to use. This project allows local people to reclaim a small part of their city.”
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