News / Society
Protest at the playground
Parents whose children use the popular St Paul’s Adventure Playground are being urged to attend meetings on Friday over controversial changes to services.
Children aged between six and eight years old will need to be supervised by “an older sibling that is aged 16 or older, or an appropriate adult” when the playground reopens later this month after the summer holiday break.
The changes mean parents with younger children will not be allowed to let them visit the playground on their own, putting pressure on already busy family lives.
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Meanwhile, parents have already complained about the state of play equipment on site.
The changes have been implemented by the Learning Partnership West group which took over the running of the playground from Bristol City Council in January.
Community organisers say staff employed to supervise and manage the playground are faced with a ream of issues which is affecting maintenance of the park and engagement with the community – meaning the outsourcing of the service is not being delivered properly, with children losing out as a result.
LPW staff working at the playground have decided to call two meetings on Friday at the playground to discuss the issues with parents.
Jose Barco, a community organiser, told Bristol24/7 yesterday: “Children will end up having to play in the streets. This outsourcing has been a short-sighted plan that will cost us more in the future.”
He called on management of LPW to attend the meetings at midday and 6pm on Friday and listen to the grievances from parents, and then postpone the proposed changes.
Mr Barco said that if the changes were implemented then demonstrations would take place at the playground.
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